Sentara Healthcare and Truist announced a $1 million grant to the We Care COVID-19 Virginia Emergency Food Support Plan, a part of the Federation of Virginia Foodbanks .
The money “will strengthen Virginia’s emergency food support system to provide meals and nourishment to families during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond,” according to a news release from Sentara.
Sentara, and its health plan Optima Health, will contribute $500,000, while Truist has committed to giving $500,000.
“While Sentara remains focused on caring for our patients and health plan members as well as supporting our staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, we also recognize that many in our communities across Virginia are struggling with unmet needs such as a lack of food during this unprecedented crisis,” said Howard P. Kern, president and CEO of Sentara Healthcare. “We sincerely hope this program will encourage other organizations to join us in this statewide initiative to provide meaningful solutions for our communities during this global pandemic.”
The We Care program centers around a new innovative emergency food care package, a five-day supply of nonperishable food. The care packages can be easily assembled and distributed through food distribution points, which are managed by Virginia’s seven regional food banks and their associated partners, according to the news release.
Sentara and the Federation of Virginia Foodbanks are exploring new distribution points to help people most in need or those who need to be quarantined.
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