Earlier this yr, Blue Cross and Blue Defend of Louisiana, Wholesome Blue and Vantage Well being Plan committed to sponsor 125,000 meals at food banks statewide. Volunteers with the well being care organizations went above and past that objective, packing 171,468 meals in 2022.
“One in six households in our state is dealing with meals insecurity, and we had been proud to companion with Vantage, Wholesome Blue and our neighborhood meals financial institution companions to ensure Louisianians can get wholesome meals in occasions of want,” stated Michael Tipton, head of Neighborhood Relations for Blue Cross and Blue Defend of Louisiana and president of the Blue Cross Basis. “Our mission is to enhance the well being and lives of Louisianians, and our workers fulfill that mission by giving their time in service to our communities.”
By means of FeedingLouisiana and The Pack Shack’s “Feed the Funnel” program, volunteers ready and distributed meals by means of Better Baton Rouge Meals Financial institution, Second Harvest Meals Financial institution, Meals Financial institution of Northwest Louisiana, Meals Financial institution of Northeast Louisiana and different organizations addressing starvation in Louisiana. Meals-packing events befell in every area of the state by means of August in an prolonged celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Nationwide Day of Service.
“Wholesome Blue values the chance to play a key position in enhancing lives and constructing more healthy, stronger communities,” stated Dr. Christy Valentine Theard, president of Wholesome Blue Louisiana. “Our group and our associates have stayed dedicated to our mission of service, and it makes us proud to see the constructive, significant affect our efforts have on residents throughout our state.”
“International starvation is a constant drawback and proper right here in Louisiana, over 21% of our households are meals insecure,” stated Sheila O’Leary, Director of Advertising for Vantage Well being Plan. “Vantage Well being Plan was so excited to companion with Blue Cross, Wholesome Blue and several other neighborhood meals financial institution companions throughout Louisiana to pack over 171,400 meals in 2022.”
Since 2018, Blue Cross Staff Blue volunteers have packed greater than half one million meals statewide – that’s greater than 35 tons of meals, equal to the burden of almost 5 giant, male elephants. This is sufficient to present 342 four-person households with one meal per member of the family per day for a whole yr.
“We’re so pleased with the work of those caring volunteers,” stated Pat Van Burkleo, Feeding Louisiana government director. “Not solely did their arms assist pack the meals luggage, however their hearts additionally touched greater than half one million folks throughout the state. Good issues occur when folks care.”
Study extra about pack social gathering outcomes in this video. (1:03)
Follow Blue Cross on social media @BCBSLA for updates on 2023 meal sponsorships and plans for future food-packing occasions. Blue Cross posts often on Fb, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Go to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana YouTube channel to see brief movies on well being and wellness subjects. Subscribe to know when new movies are added.
