United Health Foundation Supports Americans Experiencing Homelessness and Food Insecurity Amid COVID-19 Emergency
April 03 2020 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
$5 million in partnerships with the National
Health Care for the Homeless Council, Feeding America and Meals on
Wheels America is part of initial $50 million commitment from
UnitedHealth Group to fight COVID-19 and support impacted
communities
The United Health Foundation has pledged $5 million to provide
urgent support for people experiencing homelessness and food
insecurity as they face unprecedented hardships during the COVID-19
pandemic. The national partnerships with the National Health Care
for the Homeless Council, Feeding America and Meals on Wheels
America is part of UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) previously
announced $50 million initial commitment to fight COVID-19 and
support impacted populations, including health care workers,
seniors and hard-hit communities.
“People experiencing homelessness and food insecurity are among
the most vulnerable populations and the COVID-19 emergency has only
compounded the risks they face every day,” said Heather Cianfrocco,
United Health Foundation board member and chief executive officer
of UnitedHealthcare Community & State. “By collaborating with
proven, national partners like the National Health Care for the
Homeless Council, Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America, we
will ensure critical aid is deployed quickly and effectively to
those in urgent need.”
The partnerships include:
- $2.5 million to the National Health Care for the Homeless
Council to support both urgent, immediate needs at local health
care for homeless programs as well as longer-term needs to expand
capacity;
- $1.5 million to the Feeding America network of member food
banks for COVID-19 response needs, such as purchasing additional
food to meet sudden increases in demand, supporting new
distribution approaches and responding to a sudden decline in
volunteers; and
- $1 million to Meals on Wheels America to support local programs
addressing the immediate and ongoing needs of vulnerable
seniors.
“The United Health Foundation’s generosity will further bolster
our 30-year commitment to people experiencing homelessness and the
professionals working at the nexus of health care and homelessness
who serve them during this COVID-19 pandemic. Health care for the
homeless programs and medical respite care programs advance our
mission to eliminate homelessness by ensuring comprehensive health
care and secure housing for everyone,” said Bobby Watts, chief
executive officer, National Health Care for the Homeless
Council.
“Food banks have reported a 40% increase in the number of people
seeking their help. We anticipate the need for food will continue
to rise as our neighbors face greater financial stress,” said
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, chief executive officer, Feeding
America. “We are grateful to the United Health Foundation for their
generous support of our work to feed more people during this
crisis.”
“Meals on Wheels is uniquely positioned to reach at-risk older
adults and is working tirelessly to adapt to the rapidly evolving
situation, deliver nutritious meals safely and respond to an
unprecedented increase in demand,” said Ellie Hollander, president
and chief executive officer, Meals on Wheels America. “The United
Health Foundation’s generous donation will help us to ensure this
trusted network of community-based programs continues to deliver
its vital lifeline during this national crisis.”
UnitedHealth Group, including UnitedHealthcare, Optum and the
United Health Foundation, has a long history of addressing
homelessness and food insecurity — key determinants of health among
vulnerable populations.
UnitedHealth Group began its affordable housing initiative in
2011 in an effort to help remove social barriers and disparities.
The company has invested more than $400 million to build 80
affordable-housing communities throughout 18 states across the
country. As a result, more than 4,500 new homes have been created
for individuals and families in need, including seniors, military
veterans, people living with disabilities and those struggling with
homelessness.
Additionally, large areas of focus for UnitedHealth Group
employee charitable donations are to support better nutrition and
the fight against food insecurity. In 2019, for example, 495
different food and nutrition organizations were supported by
UnitedHealth Group employees, totaling more than $1 million.
UnitedHealthcare also has a history of forming strategic grant
partnerships that enable food banks to provide healthy, fresh food
to underserved communities and has partnered with local
community-based organizations to distribute more than 47 million
meals since 2018.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health care
company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and
helping to make the health system work better for everyone.
UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services
through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides
health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which
provides information and technology-enabled health services. For
more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at
www.unitedhealthgroup.com or follow @UnitedHealthGrp on
Twitter.
About National Health Care for the Homeless Council
Grounded in human rights and social justice, the Council works
on behalf of 300 health care for the homeless centers and 90
medical respite care programs to build an equitable, high-quality
health care system through training, research and advocacy in the
movement to end homelessness. For 30 years, the Council has been
guided by the needs of people with lived expertise of homelessness
and the professionals who serve them. Headquartered in Nashville,
Tennessee, the Council serves a nationwide community.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the
United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food
pantries and meal programs, it provides meals to more than 40
million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs
that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people
it serves, educates the public about the problem of hunger and
advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry.
Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role
in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we
can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find it on Facebook
or follow it on Twitter.
About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization
supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the
country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and
hunger. This network serves virtually every community in America
and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers,
delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks
that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with
independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership,
education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America
empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities,
one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on
Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
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Eric Hausman, 952-936-3963, Eric.Hausman@uhg.com
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