Gleaners Food Bank & Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield renew partnership to address food insecurity

Gleaners Food Bank and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield have renewed their partnership with a three-year, $1.8 million gift to support hunger relief efforts in Gleaners’ 21-county service area. The gift is in support of Gleaners’ $25 million comprehensive campaign announced last September.

“Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been a critical mission partner for years,” said Fred Glass, President/CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. “Through funding supporting senior hunger initiatives, food is medicine, and more, our neighbors have benefitted from healthy, nutritious food, and have been empowered with information and assistance in accessing benefits and services to elevate their overall health and well-being.”

Research has clearly shown a direct correlation between food insecurity and overall health. A Feeding America study found an additional $1 billion in healthcare costs directly related to food insecurity and its effect on health in Indiana alone.

“Anthem is deeply focused on addressing food security and the inconsistent and insufficient access to nutritious food, along with other critical factors that influence the whole health of individuals, families and communities,” said Neil Steffens, President of Anthem’s Medicare Central Region. “We believe that food is medicine, and that consistent access to nutritious food is an essential part of maintaining one’s health and improving overall health outcomes. Through this ongoing partnership and collaboration, we will create greater access to healthy and nutritious food for local Hoosiers.”

Anthem’s engagement doesn’t stop at financial gifts. Indianapolis associates have volunteered at various Gleaners distributions over the years. “The partnership with Anthem extends beyond the generous financial gift, to include the gift of time for their associates to volunteer,” Glass added.

The funding announcement and partnership was announced at a news conference on Wednesday at Gleaners’ warehouse on the southwest side of Indianapolis. Anthem associates volunteered at the food distribution that morning where approximately 800 households were served.

Gleaners announced its $25 million comprehensive campaign in September, noting the goal would fund strategic capital improvements, increased annual fund giving, and endowment growth. To date, over $20 million has been raised, including the Anthem gift announced Wednesday. To learn more, visit gleaners.org/community.