ATLANTA and TAMPA, Fla., June 29,
2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The school year ending for millions of
American children means that not only are classes over for the
summer but that many children have lost access to the only healthy
meal they can count on each day. In the U.S., over 20 million
children receive a free or reduced-price lunch at school, with only
10 percent having access to summer meal sites. WellCare of
Georgia, a subsidiary of WellCare
Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), is working to reduce food
insecurity and support healthy eating habits through its
sponsorship of community gardens across the state.
More than 28.0 percent of children in Georgia live in food-insecure households, well
above the national average of 21.4 percent. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture defines "food insecurity" as a lack of access, at
times, to enough food for all household members.
"Food-insecure children are more likely than their
well-nourished peers to be in poorer health and to be more
susceptible to illness," said Dr. John
Alexander Johnson, senior medical director for WellCare of
Georgia. "WellCare invests in
community gardens because they help to supplement food-security
efforts by increasing access to nutritionally rich foods that may
otherwise be unavailable to low-income families while also
encouraging a sense of community ownership."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
community gardens may offer other physical and mental health
benefits by providing opportunities to engage in physical activity
and skill building while helping to reduce violence and improve
social well-being through the strengthening of social
connections.
WellCare of Georgia's community
gardens initiative began in May 2013.
In its inaugural year, WellCare funded 18 community gardens in 13
counties across Georgia. Today,
there are 72 WellCare-sponsored community gardens in 48 counties
across the state being tended by 65 community organizations.
WellCare provides grants to community organizations statewide to
help get their gardens up and running. The initiative provides
fresh fruits and vegetables to at-risk children and families in
neighborhoods in need across the state. Community organizations
include housing authorities, boys and girls clubs, school systems,
Family Connection - Communities in Schools and nonprofit
organizations.
WellCare-sponsored community gardens are also the result of
partnerships with organizations including Action Ministries Inc.,
Atlanta Parks and Recreation Department, Atlanta Public Schools - Adult Education,
Georgia Food Bank Association, HineHouse Project Inc. and
Easter Seals. Additional
applications are currently under consideration for funding in the
coming months.
In 2015, WellCare partnered with Austin Smith Center in
Bibb County for a citywide Shalom
Project, the first of its kind in the nation. As a component of the
partnership, WellCare provided funds to plant and grow seven
community gardens in all designated Shalom communities throughout
Macon.
"WellCare is a national leader in addressing the health needs of
the children and families we work with, and we are fortunate to
partner with them to assist in identifying and implementing health
initiatives and activities that benefit our neighborhoods," said
Frank Austin, founder and executive
director of the Austin Smith Center for Development.
For more information on WellCare's community garden initiative,
email CommunityRelations@wellcare.com or visit
www.wellcare.com/en/Georgia/Contact-Us/Contact-Us-Form.
As of March 31, 2016, WellCare
serves approximately 583,000 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® plan
members, 37,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 24,000 Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan members in Georgia. To learn more about how we care for
Georgians watch Gloria's story at http://youtu.be/qyn-nywze04.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in
Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health
Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing
government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through
Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans,
to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical
needs. WellCare serves approximately 3.7 million members
nationwide as of March 31, 2016. For
more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website
at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at
https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.