Orange-based CalOptima Health today announced it has committed $8 million to support local food distributors and assist Medi-Cal members amid food benefit uncertainty from the federal government
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“We are so grateful to CalOptima Health for their support of the emergency food system supported by Orange County’s two food banks,” said Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, in a statement.
“Food banks support nearly 500 food pantries in the communities where people live and work. This funding will ensure these locations have extra, nutritious food on hand during this benefit freeze.”
Food benefits offered through CalFresh, part of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, have been postponed for millions of recipients due to the government shutdown. The issue has increased demand at food banks in the region as low-income families struggle to find food.
According to CalOptima, the health insurer is donating up to $1.5 million each to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and Community Action Partnership Orange County. These organizations distribute 65 million pounds of food annually to various locations, including food banks, senior centers, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities throughout the county.
“CalOptima Health is acting to prevent these extraordinary national events from negatively impacting the physical health of individuals in our communities,” Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health, said in a statement. “We are convinced that food is health.”
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