Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin and Community Partners Team Up to Feed Students Who Would Miss Meals for NFL Draft Week
Media Contact: Ben Jackey, Ben.Jackey@molinahealthcare.com, (502) 377-9484
GREEN BAY, Wisc., April 21, 2025, Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin (“Molina”), in collaboration with the Greater Green Bay YMCA (“YMCA”) and community partners, hosted a food distribution opportunity for over 100 families at Howe Elementary Community School. The Bridge the Break event provided meals to those dependent on free school breakfast and lunch as well as afterschool program meals. School food service will be disrupted during the academic break due to the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.
Food insecurity is a growing issue across Green Bay. Pantries have reported usage doubling since 2020 due to inflation and rising food costs. Howe Elementary Community School serves 375 scholars in grades 4k-5. All children receive free breakfast and lunch because of Howe’s status as a Community Eligibility Provision school. Approximately 90 scholars receive free dinners for participating in Howe’s 21st Century Community Learning Center afterschool program. Bridge the Break was created to ensure these families receive the nutrition they need while their normal food access is disrupted.
“Molina is proud to partner with the Greater Green Bay YMCA to address food insecurity in our community through the Bridge the Break initiative,” said Brian Maddy, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin. “This effort aligns with our commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve by eliminating health-related disparities whenever possible.”
Families took home six different meal options including recipes for the meals, fresh produce and pantry items. The dishes were kid-tested and approved as Howe students selected and tasted them before they were added to the menu for the week.
“As a community school, we are always looking for ways to engage our community in finding solutions to challenges families face, and we are incredibly grateful to have partners like Molina and the Greater Green Bay YMCA support this work for our school community,” said Amy Kallioinen, Howe Elementary Community School principal.
In December 2024, Molina and the YMCA held its first Bridge the Break event at Howe ahead of the winter break where nearly 500 people were served. Additional partners for the initiative included Manna of Life Ministries, Green Bay Optimist Club, Brown County United Way, Good Ground Ministry, Schreiber Foods, First United Church of Christ and Bay Park Square Mall.
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About Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin
Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace programs in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.