Relief Efforts to Missourians Hit Hardest by COVID-19 Are Underway

We understand how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Missouri families and the uncertainty it brings our communities. Our latest contributions to Feeding America and United Way, two organizations that are crucial frontline responders to the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri. The funds will be cascaded to food banks, shelters and other resource centers across the state that help struggling individuals and families access necessities amid the pandemic.

These latest contributions are part of a $1.1 million commitment recently made by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri and its Foundation to support COVID-19 relief efforts across Missouri and help families and communities with vital essential needs such as: funding to support after school programs, helping to stock food panties throughout Missouri, and support for services that are addressing isolation and domestic abuse.

Highlights of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation’s COVID-19 response in Missouri include:

• From children who rely on school lunches, to seniors and people with disabilities who have challenges leaving their homes, food access is one of the biggest needs as it relates to COVID-19. Through a $20,000 donation to Feeding America, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation is helping support emergency food programs at food banks across Missouri.
• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation’s $20,000 donation to United Way chapters with COVID-19 relief programs will help vulnerable individuals, families, and organizations across Missouri through financial assistance, access to critical programs and services, and working with partner agencies to help provide a stable recovery for Missouri communities in the coming years.
• Through a $110,750 grant, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation is helping Boys & Girls Clubs across Missouri provide nutritious food and e-learning opportunities for schoolchildren and families impacted by school and club closures due to COVID-19.
• The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is utilizing a $50,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to help address health, wellness and mental health challenges due to COVID-19.

To date, Anthem associates in Missouri have logged nearly 680 volunteer hours and donated more than $44,000 to support COVID-19 response efforts in Missouri. Volunteer efforts include providing meals to the frontline healthcare workers, and engaging in ‘virtual volunteering’ such as online teaching and telephone outreach to seniors or those isolated during this time of need.

As we continue our coordinated response to COVID-19, we know the needs of individuals and the community will continue to evolve rapidly. We will continue to adapt and respond with care and compassion, and provide the necessary support to help guide us through this crisis and aid the recovery.