Helping Feed Our Communities and Those We Serve During the Holidays

Transforming Communities

12/19/2019

Centene employees dish out food

Access to quality, nutritious food is a foundational element of overall health and wellness, and it is essential for proper development. The ability to purchase and prepare nutritious meals can also play a large part in managing chronic conditions, including diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Aligning with Centene's commitment to whole health, it's vital that we address the non-medical needs of our members. Often called social determinants of health, these needs have a large impact on overall health outcomes and quality of life.

While hunger is a year-round issue, the holiday season can place additional pressure on those with limited access to food. Unexpected visitors or children unable to receive discounted meals at school while on winter break can also contribute to a scarcity of healthy food for individuals and their families. Centene's health plans sponsor, host, and support a number of community events aimed at eliminating hunger during the holiday season.

To help New Mexico residents this holiday season, Centene's Western Sky Community Care health plan hosted a holiday grocery giveaway. Western Sky gave away turkey gift cards, grocery bags, and other prizes to community members. Employees of our New Mexico health plan were also on hand to distribute information on benefits and community resources.

Employees of Carolina Complete Health, Centene's North Carolina health plan, partnered with the Brigade Boys and Girls Club to organize and serve meals at its Eighth Annual Thanksgiving Feast. The event provided meals to Boys and Girls Club members, their families, and residents of a local homeless shelter in Wilmington, North Carolina. More than 150 members of the community received a free meal while allowing friends and neighbors to join together and give thanks.

Centene is privileged to care for some of our most vulnerable populations and works closely with local organizations to continue expanding our impact. Our Wisconsin health plan, MHS Health Wisconsin, has a special connection to the local Hispanic community, including refugee families from Honduras and Guatemala. MHS Health Wisconsin sponsored the Holiday Food Basket Distribution put on by Hispanic Roundtable Inc. of Racine. A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Hispanic community in Wisconsin, the Hispanic Roundtable provides more than 250 baskets of food to local families in need between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

While the holidays can be a time of particular hardship, Centene employees give back to the communities where they live, work, and serve through hundreds of public events across the country every year. Learn more about Centene's steadfast commitment to social responsibility.