Molina Healthcare of Ohio Donates $35,000 to Increase Food Access and Education for Columbus South Side Residents
Ben Jackey, Ben.Jackey@molinahealthcare.com, (502) 377-9484
COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 29, 2024 – Molina Healthcare of Ohio (“Molina”) awarded a $35,000 grant to Community Development for All People (“CD4AP”) in support of the nonprofit’s healthy eating and parenting programs for vulnerable populations. The goal of the initiatives is to improve overall health of the South Side community by addressing resource disparities and increase the percentage of young people who are considered kindergarten ready.
The donation will help fund the organization’s Healthy Eating and Living (“HEAL”) and Thrive to 5 initiatives. The All People’s Fresh Market is a part of the HEAL program where more than 10,000 families earning below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines access fresh produce free of charge. HEAL also offers classes and workshops where participants gain nutrition awareness and cooking skills using the produce available at the Fresh Market and other healthy ingredients. An unhealthy diet contributes to the development of many chronic conditions including obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
Molina’s funding also supports Thrive to 5’s parenting education and support activities including one-on-one coaching for parents and caregivers of infants and small children. Classes and workshops provide guidance on social-emotional well-being, positive discipline and early childhood development. Thrive to 5’s kindergarten readiness programs promote literacy and activities that develop cognitive skills in partnership with local libraries and area schools.
“Molina’s commitment to Community Development for All People aligns with our holistic approach to well-being, built on valuable partnerships providing critical resources to underserved populations,” said Ami Cole, plan president for Molina Healthcare of Ohio. “Our continued support of CD4AP has positively impacted the lives of thousands of South Side residents through sharing resources which build a strong foundation for future success.”
In 2021, The MolinaCares Accord gave a $122,500 grant to CD4AP for its Fresh Market, workforce development, Thrive to 5, and IDs for All People initiatives. As a result of the grant, over 1,500 individuals received training opportunities; nearly 36,000 people received food from the Fresh Market; IDs for All People processed over 1,300 applications for birth certificates and state identification cards. In total, since 2017, Molina has donated more than $589,000 to CD4AP.
“Molina has been a critical partner in our work to transform the South Side into a place where all people can live and thrive,” said Mike Premo, executive director of CD4AP. “We are grateful for their continued support and look forward to many more years of collaboration.”
On the South Side of Columbus, life expectancy is 69.9 years compared to the Franklin County average of 77.6 years, and a greater percentage of South Side residents are affected by adverse health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, relative to the county average. According to the 2019 Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, among South Side schools, only 30% of children entered kindergarten ready to learn.
About Molina Healthcare of Ohio
Molina Healthcare of Ohio has been providing government-funded, quality health care since 2005. The Company serves members through Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) and Health Insurance Exchange programs throughout Ohio. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Ohio, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About Community Development for All People
Community Development for All People (CD4AP), a ministry of the United Methodist Church for All People, was established in 2003 to enhance the quality of life on the South Side of Columbus. CD4AP operates several key programs: All People’s Fresh Market, one of Ohio’s largest, providing 83,000 baskets of fresh produce annually for over 50,000 individuals; the Healthy Eating and Living Initiative (HEAL), which offers health and wellness education; Thrive To 5, empowering pregnant women, families, and young children to thrive and succeed in kindergarten readiness; the United Methodist Free Store, serving 32,000 people yearly with clothing, household goods, and personal care items; afterschool and summer literacy and STEM programs for youth; and the development of over 500 affordable housing units in South Side neighborhoods. For more details, visit 4allpeople.org.
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