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West Virginia Community-Based Organizations Receive $134,000 in Grants from UniCare as Part of Coordinated Response to COVID-19UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia and its Foundation announced today $134,000 in grants to community-based organizations to support healthcare workers and first responders, access to food and shelter for the homeless, and other vital community needs and resources. The grants are being provided to several community-based organizations in West Virginia, and are part of UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia and its Foundation's commitment to the whole health of individuals and families. Manna Meal, a hunger relief organization in downtown Charleston will use their $20,000 grant to serve meals to individuals and families that include the homeless, mentally challenged, under-employed workers as well as people who cannot make ends meet during this challenging time. Mountaineer Food Bank will receive a $20,000 grant that will go to the COVID-19 Response Fund designed to support communities, families, children and individuals struggling with hunger, made even more critical because of the pandemic. "We were thrilled to receive this generous donation from our friends at UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia and its Foundation, to aid us in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Chad Morrison, executive director, Mountaineer Food Bank. "Mountaineer Food Bank is grateful for our partnership and their continued support during this difficult time. During the months of March and April, we saw a 30-40 percent increase in need. These funds will help us continue to meet this increased need through emergency food distributions to feed the children, families and seniors facing uncertainty in our communities." Facing Hunger Foodbank will utilize their $15,000 grant for immediate direct and mobile food distribution in coordination with their member agencies for tose that are currently seeking emergency hunger relief resources. YWCA Charleston's $10,000 grant will provide children, women and families with additional emergency shelter resources and supportive services. The funding will also provide cleaning supplies to support the ongoing and urgent need to maintain their 10,000 square foot facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional grant recipients from UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia include West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, The Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling, The Salvation Army, Children's Home Society, Family Crisis Intervention Center, Heart and Hand, Mason County Baby Pantry, among others. These efforts are part of UniCare's coordinated response to COVID-19 for members, local community organizations, healthcare workers and frontline responders. UniCare Health Plan has also provided ongoing member support for those that may have an increased need during this crisis, including those high-risk members impacted by immunosuppression, chronic conditions, or social isolation. These virtual check-ins assess if members need assistance addressing areas such as medical attention, telehealth access, medications, food insecurity, or isolation. The support provided by the UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia and its Foundation will evolve to meet the ever growing and changing needs of plan members and their communities. "We are committed to supporting our members, community-based organizations, and frontline responders to the coronavirus pandemic," said Tadd Haynes, president, UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia. "It is a privilege to work with so many organizations that share a passion for advancing health and wellness in West Virginia. These grants will make a positive impact in the communities we serve and will provide access and resources during these uncertain times." The UniCare Foundation continues to support national partners such as the American Red Cross, AmeriCares, Direct Relief, and Mental Health America to ensure access to emergency assistance for individuals and families. About UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia, Inc. UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia, Inc. serves more than 155,000 Medicaid beneficiaries living in West Virginia. UniCare has served Medicaid beneficiaries in West Virginia since 2003. For more information about UniCare, visit http://mss.unicare.com/, and follow the company on Facebook @UniCareCorp and Twitter (News - Alert) @UniCare. About the UniCare Foundation The UniCare Foundation is the philanthropic arm of UniCare Health Plan, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anthem, Inc. Together, with local, regional and national organizations, the UniCare Foundation works to improve lives and communities. Through strategic partnerships and programs, the Foundation addresses the social drivers that will help create a healthier generation of Americans in communities that UniCare Health Plan and its affiliated health plans serves. UniCare Foundation funding is focused on critical initiatives working to address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative with five areas of focus: Healthy Heart, Cancer Prevention, Healthy Maternal Practices, Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, and Healthy Active Lifestyle. These disease states and medical conditions include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company's year-round Dollars for Dollars program which provides a 100 percent match of associates' donations, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. To learn more about the UniCare Foundation, please visit www.anthemcorporateresponsibility.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200521005090/en/ |
