Anthem Blue Cross And Blue Shield’s Support Of Tri-State Food Bank Launches Major Mobile Food Distribution Effort

A collaboration between Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Tri-State Food Bank will significantly increase the food bank’s Mobile Food Distribution Program in Indiana and Kentucky over the next three years to supply food where it’s needed most. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have far-reaching effects, Anthem’s sponsorship of the food bank will benefit an estimated 15,000 households and provide nearly 500,000 meals.

Tri-State Food Bank Executive Director Glenn Roberts comments, “The war against hunger must be fought on several fronts, not only through brick & mortar pantries and soup kitchens but also by mobile food distributions to reach those people who have little or no access to traditional food outlets. The sponsorship from Anthem will allow us to add 120 mobile food distributions in our nine Indiana counties as well as an additional 75 distributions in our eight Kentucky counties.”

Tri-State Food Bank’s Mobile Food Distribution Program targets communities with low access to food (also known as “food deserts”) and aims to serve the most vulnerable populations: children, senior citizens, and those living in isolated, rural communities. 

“We know that helping people live healthier and strengthening communities happens when we support the many factors that influence health every day, which includes increasing access to healthy food,” said Neil Steffens, President of Anthem’s Medicare Central Region. “As a decades-long member of the Indiana and Kentucky communities, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and our associates are committed to community action and working with organizations like Tri-State Food Bank. We understand that collaborations can amplify the positive impact we have on the community.”

This sponsorship is part of Anthem’s ongoing support of Tri-State Food Bank and other area food banks to help individuals be healthier and age well. Anthem’s donation will also allow Tri-State Food Bank to update a food distribution truck, which will be used to transport and give out fresh produce at the mobile food distributions.

Before COVID-19, the number of food insecure individuals in the Tri-State was estimated to be 114,290. According to Feeding America® estimates, the pandemic’s impact may cause that number to rise to 158,270 this year. A typical mobile food distribution will provide a household with a box of dry products such as canned vegetables and fruit, pasta, rice, cereal, peanut butter, pasta sauce, beans, canned meat, and soup. Families may also receive dairy items and fresh produce.