The Molina Healthcare Foundation, in conjunction with Passport by Molina Healthcare (Passport), announced a $25,800 commitment to Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH) RX Pantry Pilot Program. The initiative is designed to improve food security and dietary intake for Kentuckians battling hunger. A total of 588 patients have been served in the first three months of the pilot program.
Passport and FAKH are working in conjunction with six health organizations throughout the region. Through the new partnership, partnering health organizations have been provided with perishable and nonperishable food items to distribute to those facing food insecurity in their communities at no cost to them. FAKH has provided food insecurity screening materials for the partners, educational materials for recipients, along with information on where patients can access additional food resources through FAKH agency partners in their local community.
According to Feeding America’s Hunger in America Study, food insecurity at any age makes individuals more likely to develop chronic health conditions, such as depression, high blood pressure, diabetes and congestive heart failure.
“Passport is committed to the health and well-being of the communities and this partnership with Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland aligns with that commitment,” said Ryan Sadler, plan president for Passport by Molina Healthcare. “Food insecurity is a social determinant of health that negatively impacts both urban and rural populations, and we are excited to see the impact of this program for fellow Kentuckians.”
“We are grateful for the support of the Molina Charitable Foundation and Passport by Molina Healthcare,” said FAKH Executive Director Jamie Sizemore. “Hunger is truly a matter of public health, and through these partnerships with area health organizations, we are able to meet people where they are to more efficiently identify and address food insecurity in the region.”
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