Committed to Keeping the Community Fed
UnitedHealth Group’s partnership with Loaves & Fishes is one of many programs and partnerships created to date during the pandemic
When the coronavirus pandemic began, countless people in Minnesota and around the country lost their jobs as businesses closed their doors. Many wondered where their next meal would come from. Craig, an electrician who lives in New Hope, Minn., with his wife, their four children and his parents, was one of many people who was laid off. He worried about how he would feed his family with no income.
Relief for Craig’s family and others in need came in the form of a collaboration between UnitedHealth Group, Loaves & Fishes and the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities. The organizations worked together to provide food for those in need. UnitedHealth Group organized the coordinated effort, and made more than $5.6 million resources available to support it. This included the use of kitchens at its Optum headquarters in Eden Prairie, the preparation of more than 1.1 million meals for Minnesotans from March through September, and Loaves & Fishes distribution of the meals at YMCA locations and 28 additional sites throughout the greater Twin Cities each day. This program was also replicated by UnitedHealth Group with local partners in Nevada, Connecticut and North Carolina. And the Minnesota-based partnership was extended in mid-November to provide meal support for six weeks throughout the 2020 holiday season.
Broad COVID-19 Support
The collaboration was part of a more than $100 million overall commitment by UnitedHealth Group to support those affected by COVID-19 and address emerging issues related to the pandemic. By working with other national and local nonprofits, UnitedHealth Group and the UnitedHealth Foundation helped to support the most vulnerable populations. In addition to the Loaves & Fishes partnership, UnitedHealth Group:
- Provided $10 million to support more than a dozen community organizations serving vulnerable populations in hard-hit states, including, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Washington.
- Donated $5 million to help people experiencing food insecurity and homelessness, including support for 66 food banks in 30 states in partnership with Feeding America; food deliveries for vulnerable seniors in 27 states in partnership with Meals on Wheels America; and emergency shelter and medical respite care for individuals experiencing homelessness in 17 states in partnership with the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
- Provided $5 million to support a United Health Foundation partnership with AARP Foundation intended to serve over 1 million seniors impacted by COVID-19, delivering meals and providing tools to increase social connection.
UnitedHealth Group is leveraging its clinical knowledge to develop new innovations to fight COVID-19 in partnership with leading industry and academic institutions. It is protecting the health of its members, increasing access to coverage, and has provided more than $1.5 billion premium credits and cost-sharing waivers. It is also working in many ways to protect the health of the health workforce by providing resources to meet their clinical, emotional and mental health needs.
A Unique Opportunity
UnitedHealth Group recognizes the unique opportunity to help solve the health care challenges of today. It is also committed to leading the development of a next-generation health system in a socially conscious way – a system that increases access to care, makes care more affordable, enhances the care experience and improves health outcomes.
The Loaves & Fishes partnership was one of the many ways the company works every day to help communities – in Minnesota, nationwide and around the world. Craig has been called back to work at reduced hours and appreciates the healthy meals he can bring his family to help make ends meet.