Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) has expanded its efforts to address food insecurity across the state as demand for food assistance continues to rise. According to the organization, one in seven residents in North Carolina faces limited access to food, a situation that contributes to chronic health conditions related to diet.
In response, Blue Cross NC organized an on-campus food drive where employees donated shelf-stable items. The donations resulted in 1,182 meals distributed to local families. Employees also partnered with organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank and Charlotte Motor Speedway. Through these collaborations, 16,000 boxes were packed at Second Harvest’s Sort-a-Rama event, over 13,500 pounds of food were collected with Charlotte Motor Speedway for Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, and 2,000 Thanksgiving meals were distributed across the Triangle region with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Throughout November, Blue Cross NC’s Healthy Blue Medicaid managed care plan provided food and household essentials to more than 3,000 families statewide. Diaper drives at locations in Charlotte, Brier Creek, and Fayetteville supplied diapers for over 1,000 children.
Cheryl Parquet, associate vice president of Community Engagement at Blue Cross NC said: “Our employees embody our Purpose every day, but especially in times of need to support our local communities and make a real impact across the state. In November alone, Blue Cross NC employees recorded more than 1,200 volunteerism hours benefiting food related organizations.”
Blue Cross NC is also working on long-term solutions by addressing non-medical factors that affect health. In 2021 it launched a pilot program aimed at helping members learn about and apply for SNAP benefits. The initiative improved access to food and reduced medical costs among participants.
Colleen Briggs, vice president of Corporate Responsibility at Blue Cross NC and president of the Blue Cross NC Foundation stated: “When one person doesn’t have access to food, it impacts all of us. It means more illness, higher health care costs, and less resilient communities. For more than 20 years, Blue Cross NC has been committed to improving food and nutrition security for all North Carolinians. We’re ensuring our members and communities have access to nutritious foods so they can live healthier lives.”
The company says these initiatives demonstrate its commitment to improving community health through better access to nutritious foods.
