Feeding families. For the Health of America.

As more families find themselves out of work in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, trying to keep food on the table, many Americans are in need of assistance. To address this critical need, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies are taking steps to ensure their communities do not go hungry.

In collaboration with their community partners, local and national food banks and other charitable organizations, BCBS companies are using technology, repurposing their facilities, reallocating funds and making charitable donations to help fill the void for children, individuals, families and seniors.

Utilizing existing resources to feed the community

• A creative partnership developed in a matter of days to handle a new influx of food donations to Feeding Northeast Florida. The nonprofit teamed with Florida Blue   , using the skill and expertise of its kitchen staff and the current availability of its campus cafeteria to turn perishable food donations into nearly 3,000 meals daily.

Supporting statewide network of food banks

• BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation is donating $3.25 million to six regional food banks, which can often purchase supplies at much lower costs than individuals—stretching to provide as many as four meals for each dollar they receive in cash donations.

Matching employee donations

• In response to the growing demand for food assistance, Regence Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies matched employee donations at 100% for designated nonprofits. The campaign raised over $218,000 to help ensure residents of Idaho, Utah, Oregon and Washington stay healthy and fed during this crisis. 

Launching unique online donation drive

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana repurposed an existing partnership for seasonal donation campaigns into an emergency donation drive. This led to the creation of an online portal that allows the public to shop for local food banks’ most-needed goods without leaving their homes.

Reallocating funds to replace cancelled donation drives

• In light of COVID-19, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is reallocating funds from a cancelled community food festival to support regional food banks and food services, feeding those in need.

Providing emergency food boxes for families missing work

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is committing $750,000 to Second Harvest Heartland’s COVID-19 response plan, providing emergency food boxes for families. The funding will directly support food boxes for families facing hunger due to missed work so those impacted can access needed meals while also reducing their risk of exposure.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans.