Anthem Volunteer Days 2019: Fighting Food Insecurity in Communities Across the Country
One in every eight Americans faces food insecurity, lacking consistent access to enough food to lead a healthy life. Access to affordable and nutritious food is critical to a person’s overall health and well-being. That’s why Anthem is putting a focus on the fight against hunger as we launch our largest annual volunteer initiative again this fall.
This week, Anthem and the Anthem Foundation kicked off Anthem Volunteer Days 2019 to bring Anthem associates, their families, friends and neighbors together with charitable organizations to support projects that address food insecurity. Now in its fifth year, Anthem Volunteer Days gives associates the opportunity to offer their time and passion to the community they call home. Anthem is proud to partner with Lions Clubs International again in this initiative to identify and collaborate with community-based organizations that are making a difference and need volunteer assistance to increase food security for those they serve.
This year, associates will assemble backpacks with healthy food for children; prepare meals at community food banks for those living with life-threatening illnesses; organize, sort, and harvest fruit and produce; and more. To complement this year’s campaign focus and further strengthen our communities, associates will also assist in local neighborhood cleanup, landscaping and beautification projects.
Since 2015, over 5,000 Anthem associates, Lions Clubs staff and guests have volunteered over 20,000 hours to service projects through Anthem Volunteer Days. Together with our partners, we have assembled or served over 760,000 pounds of food, assembled over 35,000 hygiene kits and removed over 15,000 pounds of trash and debris. Last year alone, associates sorted over 83,000 pounds of food for our communities. Watch the video below to hear directly from associates about their experience participating in Anthem Volunteer Days 2018.
For Anthem Volunteer Days 2019, there will be more than 60 projects taking place in 40 cities across the country, from Atlanta to Denver, Indianapolis to Portland (ME) and places in between. Here are just some of the ways associates will get involved this year with community organizations that are fighting to end hunger and give back to their communities in other ways:
· Indianapolis, IN: Volunteers kicked off Anthem Volunteer Days by lending a helping hand in the Gleaners Food Bank warehouse and food pantry.
· Franklin, WI: Volunteers will work with Hunger Task Force to help farmers with seeding, transplanting, trail restoration, harvesting and washing produce.
· Grand Prairie, TX: Volunteers will help to maintain the Barbara Bush Neighborhood Community Garden by pulling weeds, turning compost, planting vegetables, building a shed and more.
· Denver, CO: Volunteers will assist Extreme Community Makeover in removing graffiti from public areas, painting, weeding and creating a more beautiful community space.
We are committed to staying involved in our communities, because we know we can make a difference together. By improving and expanding access to affordable and healthy food options for our neighbors, we support efforts to improve the health and well-being of our communities and the nation.
Learn more about Anthem’s signature volunteer initiative at AnthemVolunteerDays.com and follow #AnthemCares on Twitter throughout Anthem Volunteer Days 2019.
