Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Gleaners Collaborate to Address Senior Hunger

January 08, 2019

• Anthem’s sponsorship of $200,000 in Gleaners’ Senior Hunger Initiative and Senior Mobile Pantries will have immediate impact on vulnerable seniors throughout Gleaners’ 21 county service area.
• Collaboration will kick off with Senior Mobile Pantry distribution in Greenfield on January 8, 2019.
• In 2018, Gleaners served more than 35,000 senior citizens through these programs.
• An estimated 4.7 percent of Hoosier senior citizens are at high risk for very low food security.

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana (Gleaners) and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana (Anthem) are collaborating to address the growing issue of senior hunger in the 21 counties Gleaners serves. Anthem will support Gleaners’ efforts to feed seniors in need through a $200,000 gift that will make it possible for the food bank to host 120 Senior Mobile Pantries in 2019. At these events, Anthem associates will also be available to help consumers understand the Anthem Medicare plan options available to them.

“We’re thrilled to receive this support from Anthem as we work to serve the growing senior population in our service area,” said John Elliott, President/CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. “Anthem’s commitment to Hoosiers in need reflects its long-standing pledge to corporate responsibility.”

Anthem’s engagement doesn’t stop at financial gifts. The Company’s Indianapolis-based employees have consistently volunteered at Gleaners to do their part in fighting food insecurity in the metro area.

“Anthem is proud to support Gleaners in its mission to provide households with access to sufficient, nutritious food, and related resources because we know that increasing access to everyday items, such as healthy food, makes it easier for older adults to improve their whole health,” said David McNichols, President of Anthem’s Central Medicare Region. “This collaboration with Gleaners is part of Anthem’s commitment to investing in and connecting with the communities in which we operate.”

Senior Mobile Pantries are part of Gleaners’ Senior Hunger Initiative program. The program is designed to provide clients with choice, along with a variety of nutritious foods that meet their dietary and personal needs. These programs also work to fulfill the needs of seniors that fall outside the reach of other agencies in the area. Senior Mobile Pantries carry an average of 7,500 pounds of food, including pantry staples, fresh fruits and vegetables, and frozen meats.

The Anthem-Gleaners sponsorship kicks off at the Senior Mobile Pantry in Greenfield on January 8, 2019.