The MolinaCares Accord and Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin Donate $25,000 to Non-profit to Address Nutritional Insecurity in Underserved Communities
Media Contact: Ben Jackey, Ben.Jackey@molinahealthcare.com, (502) 377-9484
MILWAUKEE, Nov. 15, 2024 – The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”) in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin (“Molina”), provided a $25,000 grant to Food For Health, a community based organization increasing access to nutritious medically-tailored food and health education to impoverished communities in Milwaukee County. The donation will fund cooking, fitness and lifestyle education programming from its BeFueled, BeFit and BeFocused (B3Healthy) program on location at their Be3 Community Health Hub located in the Halyard Park Neighborhood.
The communities served by this initiative represent Milwaukee’s most segregated and impoverished neighborhoods as demonstrated by higher rates of poverty, unemployment, renter-occupied homes, diet-related disease and nutritional insecurity. County Health Rankings has listed it as one of the least healthy counties in Wisconsin (ranked 70 of 72) on a composite measure of health outcomes defined as length and quality of life. Lack of nutritious foods contribute to increasing rates of chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease – which are both on the rise in Wisconsin. Feeding America reports the food insecurity rate for Black Milwaukee County residents is 26%, compared to 5% white residents.
“Molina is proud to support Food For Health and its holistic approach to wellness through nutrition, fitness and education,” said Brian Maddy, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin. “Instilling good habits can positively impact generational health in communities that have been traditionally at risk for chronic illness caused by insufficient nutrition.”
“We are grateful to Molina for their generous support and commitment to joining us in removing the social barriers to one of the most basic human needs, nutritious food and literacy,” said Kathy Koshgarian, president and CEO of Food For Health. “Molina’s commitment is an example of how we can advance health equity as a collective, this is imperative in order to truly advance systemic and sustainable change by creating equitable access to healthy and happy lives through the power of food.”
Food For Health views food as a medical intervention which aims to reverse the negative impacts of diet-related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and obesity. The B3Healthy program provides 10 delicious medically tailored meals delivered direct to home each week. A dedicated health coach engages directly with the individual weekly and develops personalized plans to improve lifestyle choices while also monitoring health conditions. The program is focused on increased quality of life, positive health outcomes and sustainability. Some examples of this comprehensive approach include classes held at grocery stores with the participants to help them pick the proper foods needed to achieve their health goals. The Food For Health classes equip individuals with the knowledge they need to make independent nutrition and positive behavioral choices throughout life.
Upcoming classes are open to the public and funded by The MolinaCares Accord and Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin include:
BeFocused: Gratitude is Good for Your Health
November 20, noon – 1 p.m.
Class Objectives: This is a lunch and learn focusing on how gratitude can improve your mental and physical well-being. Focus on effective ways to practice gratitude daily and experience its powerful benefits on your health, happiness and longevity.
BeFueled: Healthy Thanksgiving Sides
November 21, noon – 1 p.m.
Description: Learn how to prepare three easy, nutritious sides that will boost your health. Receive practical tips and tricks for making healthy cooking easier and more enjoyable.
The classes are held at 2007 North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. To register for a class or to learn more please visit Get Involved | Food For Health | Food For Health or call (414) 378-2278.
About The MolinaCares Accord
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform 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. The MolinaCares Accord funds such measures through the Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc.
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.
About Food For Health
Food For Health is a 501c3 public charity and community-based organization disrupting diet-related disease through a comprehensive Medically Tailored Meal (MTM) program. As the only MTM provider in the state of Wisconsin, we’ve joined forces with other like-minded organizations across the nation as part of the Food Is Medicine Coalition to realize our vision of creating equitable access to healthy and happy lives through the power of food.
###