The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation Grants $15,000 to Social Change to Support Food Access and Economic Stability on Chicago’s South Side
Media Contact: Rhonda Frazier, Rhonda.Frazier@MolinaHealthCare.com, (562) 980-3849
CHICAGO, Oct. 27, 2026 — The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation, in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Illinois (“Molina”), announced a $15,000 grant to Social Change to support their ongoing community-based programming that connects South Side residents with food, reentry, and employment resources.
On Chicago’s South Side, 27% of residents in the area live below the poverty line, and an equal share of households face food insecurity. For justice-involved individuals, a criminal record can affect their ability to secure employment, housing, and education, making it harder to build the independence needed to support themselves, care for their families, and maintain their health.
“Social Change connects South Side residents with practical services that can strengthen stability for individuals and families, whether that means bringing home fresh food, pursuing a job, or taking steps to clear an eligible record,” said Todd Belcore, co-founder and executive director of Social Change. “Through Molina’s funding, we can continue to meet the challenges our communities face, reduce recidivism, and turn those moments of support into lasting progress.”
Molina’s grant will help Social Change expand weekly and monthly food distributions through its community farm, food-rescue partnerships, and soup kitchen operations. Funding also will support Entrepreneur Clinics, where residents can receive record-sealing and expungement assistance, and guidance navigating occupational-licensing requirements that can open up opportunities for employment.
“Health is shaped by an individual’s ability to secure safe housing, food, work and healthcare, especially after re-entering society,” said Kris Classen, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Illinois. “Social Change brings these resources together in a trusted community setting. This investment will help sustain that work for South Side residents and their families.”
This latest investment is part of the over $5 million that Molina and The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation have contributed over the past two years to Illinois community organizations that play a vital role in strengthening health across the state.
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About The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation
The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc. The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation was created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.
About Molina Healthcare of Illinois
Molina Healthcare of Illinois, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace programs in Illinois. 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 plans, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About Social Change
Social Change is a Chicago-based national nonprofit dedicated to addressing systemic inequities through food access, legal empowerment, and community-driven solutions. The organization has served over 100,000 families nationwide and has played a role in drafting over 100 pieces of legislation, with more than 30 passed into law. Its work spans food distribution, community farming, free legal services, and storytelling initiatives.