ATLANTA and TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 7,
2019 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 100,000 children in
Georgia face the school day on an
empty stomach. In response, WellCare of Georgia, a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE:
WCG) company, and the WellCare Community Foundation have donated
$25,000 to GENYOUth to support three
Grab and Go breakfast carts for high-need schools in Georgia. One of which is being utilized by the
students at the Dekalb Academy of Technology & Environment
(D.A.T.E.) in Stone Mountain,
Georgia. The other two schools utilizing the Grab and Go
breakfast carts are Adairsville High School in Bartow County and Goshen Elementary School in
Richmond County.
The Grab and Go carts serve milk, fruit, whole grains and a meat
alternative option for breakfast. The program allows students to
have a nutritious and convenient breakfast experience on-the-go,
regardless of household income. Foods served from the carts are
provided as part of USDA's School Breakfast Program and meet the
federal nutrition guidelines.
"Studies show grades and attendance rise when breakfast is
served and children can start their day with a nutritious meal,"
said Sonya Nelson, WellCare's state
president in Georgia. "WellCare is
committed to promoting healthy lifestyles to help build healthier
communities, and we are thrilled to partner with GENYOUth to help
Georgia children have a healthy,
successful school year."
Across the state, GENYOUth is supporting the installation of
Grab and Go carts in more than 50 Georgia schools. These carts will
increase access to over 5.3 million meals among Georgia youth in the first year of the
program. "We are incredibly fortunate to be working with WellCare
to help meet the health and wellness needs of Georgia's youth," said Alexis Glick, GENYOUth chief executive officer.
"By providing Grab and Go breakfast carts throughout the state, we
are not only increasing students' access to a healthy, nutritious
meal, we are also encouraging and educating them about the
importance of making healthful choices in their lives."
Nelson and Kelianne Johnson,
GENYOUth's director of development and strategic partnerships for
the Southeast presented the Grab and Go cart to Dr. Maury Wills, D.A.T.E.'s CEO and his students on
Nov. 7.
"GENYOUth's breakfast carts are an important asset because
they're making a nutritious morning meal more accessible to our
students in a convenient way," said Dr. Wills. "We wouldn't have
the resources to provide these carts without WellCare's generous
donation."
"At WellCare, we understand much of what impacts health happens
outside of the doctor's office. That's why it's critical to
understand the specific challenges impacting the health of our
members, their families and our local communities while working
with partners like GENYOUth to implement innovative solutions,"
said Rhonda Mims, WellCare's
executive vice president and chief public affairs officer and
president of the WellCare Community Foundation.
According to research conducted by the Food Research and Action
Center, innovative programs such as breakfast after the bell and
Grab and Go carts help students and schools overcome barriers
associated with the traditional cafeteria breakfast, including
timing, convenience and stigma.
"This Grab and Go school breakfast program is impacting schools
and communities that need it the most," said Johnson. "We've had
schools tell us these carts are game-changers as they are helping
feed hungry kids who may not have access to a meal at home. This is
a win for students as it provides critical nutrition that supports
their success inside and outside of the classroom."
As of Sept. 30, 2019, WellCare
serves approximately 492,000 Medicaid members, 52,000 Medicare
Advantage plan members and 26,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
members in Georgia.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in
Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health
Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses primarily on providing
government-sponsored managed care services to families, children,
seniors and individuals with complex medical needs primarily
through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug
Plans, as well as individuals in the Health Insurance Marketplace.
WellCare serves approximately 6.3 million members nationwide as of
September 30, 2019. For more
information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at
wellcare.com.
About the WellCare Community Foundation
The WellCare Community Foundation was established in 2010 and is a
nonprofit, private foundation. Its mission is to foster and promote
the health, well-being and quality of life for the poor, distressed
and other medically underserved populations – including those who
are elderly, young and indigent – and the communities in which they
live. The WellCare Community Foundation carries out this mission by
supporting work that helps people live healthy, safe and productive
lives, and by assisting groups with serious and neglected health
needs. Underscoring this mission is the WellCare Community
Foundation's goal to serve as a national resource that fosters an
environment where there is a continuum of education, access and
quality health care, all of which improve the overall health,
well-being and quality of life of targeted beneficiaries.
About GENYOUth
GENYOUth empowers students to create a
healthier future for themselves and their peers by convening a
network of private and public partners to raise funds for youth
wellness initiatives that bolster healthy, high-achieving students,
schools and communities nationwide. We believe that all students
are change-agents, who deserve the opportunity to identify and lead
innovative solutions that positively impact nutrition, physical
activity, and student success. For more information about GENYOUth,
visit: www.genyouthnow.org.
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.