BlueCross Foundation Giving $3.25 Million to Tennessee Food Relief Efforts

Grants will support community organizations and residents statewide in a time of increased need

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation is donating $3.25 million to multiple food banks across the state.

The financial gift will help Tennessee food banks meet the needs of the communities affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Food banks can often purchase supplies at a much lower cost than individuals can, stretching to provide as many as four meals for each dollar they receive in cash donations. 

“Every day, families count on local food banks for help — and that’s especially true now,” said JD Hickey, M.D., chairman of the BlueCross Foundation. “Tennesseans can get through these challenging times by coming together, and we’re expanding our support for food banks statewide as another way to bring peace of mind to our neighbors.”

The BlueCross Foundation will distribute food relief funds to the following organizations:

  • $750,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee (Nashville)
  • $750,000 to Mid-South Food Bank (Memphis)
  • $500,000 to Chattanooga Area Food Bank
  • $500,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee (Knoxville)
  • $500,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee (Tri-Cities)
  • $250,000 to Regional Inter-Faith Association (Jackson)

The state of Tennessee declared a state of emergency to facilitate the treatment and containment of COVID-19, a global pandemic, on March 12. And due to the coronavirus outbreak, the demand for food assistance is expected to increase with school closures and time away from work.

Community members who want to help can find and donate to their local food bank by visiting FeedingAmerica.org

As the philanthropic arm of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, which has offices in Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis, Jackson, Knoxville and Johnson City, the BlueCross Foundation also provided financial and volunteer support for Middle Tennessee relief efforts after a devastating tornado swept through the region earlier this month.    

For more on how BlueCross is responding to COVID-19, visit BCBSTupdates.com.

 

About BlueCross®

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a taxpaying, not-for-profit health plan serving more than 3.5 million members in Tennessee and around the country. The Chattanooga-based company was founded in 1945 and is celebrating its 75th anniversary of bringing peace of mind to its members and local communities. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company’s news center at bcbstnews.com.

About BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.

The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. was established in December 2003 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized to promote the philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. The foundation provides funding for the BlueCross Healthy Place program, which creates active, healthy spaces across Tennessee.

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