An estimated one in seven Kansas Citians, including 100,000 children, are hungry or facing the threat of hunger. That’s 350,000 people who are food insecure or have limited or uncertain access to food.
Hunger and food insecurity is a serious concern that exists throughout our community. It can affect a child’s ability to learn, an adult’s ability to focus on their job or daily duties, and a senior’s independence who may rely on access to food in order to remain in their homes. During the pandemic, food insecurity rates increased dramatically, and they continue remain high in our region. Recent research found that 60% of local households used a food pantry more than once a month in the summer of 2021.
As the area’s largest locally based health insurance provider, Blue KC is committed to fighting hunger in the region. A key component of this is to partner with local organizations to better provide access to nutritious food in our community so that all can have enough to thrive.
Blue KC stepped up during hunger action month
September was Hunger Action Month and Blue KC spread the word about hunger issues facing our community and worked with a variety of partners to tackle this ongoing issue. As the official health insurance partner of the KC Current, Blue KC is collaborating with goalkeeper Adrianna “AD” Franch to donate $100 to The Giving Grove each time AD records a save, beginning with the Current’s August 28 match and continuing through the postseason as part of AD’s “Playing for Trees” campaign. Check out this video which highlights our partnership to bring fresh food to the Kansas City community:
Blue KC supports local hunger relief organizations
In 2018, Blue KC launched Well Stocked to support local partners in an effort to increase awareness of hunger issues facing our region. Since its launch, Blue KC has partnered with organizations to provide funding, volunteer support and hosted companywide food drives in support of their efforts in our community.
Blue KC is on a mission to help create a community where no one goes hungry. We are proud to partner with nonprofit organizations like Harvesters, Kanbe’s Markets, After the Harvest, Cultivate Kansas City, The Giving Grove and Kansas City Community Gardens among others to increase access to healthy foods in our community.
Blue KC encourages everyone to get involved in the fight against food insecurity by supporting our local hunger relief organizations that play a vital role in providing food assistance. Together, we can fill plates throughout our community. Let’s #EndHungerKC!