Anthem Foundation, Food Banks Launch Program

Gleaners Food Bank of Central Indiana Inc. was one of three $10 million recipients.

The country’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, Feeding America, is teaming with the Anthem Foundation and food banks across the country to launch the ‘Food is Medicine’ program. A $1M grant from the foundation will fund a year-long program to allow seven food banks to partner with hospital outpatient clinics to implement universal food insecurity screenings and interventions. Organizers hope to screen 3,000 to 4,000 patients at each location.

Participating organizations include Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana and Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis. Other food banks and health systems involved in the program are in Louisville, KY, Cincinnati, OH, Atlanta, GA, Nashville, TN, Houston,TX and Richmond, VA. 

The program also allows food banks to assess eligibility for federal nutrition programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Click here for more information.