Buckeye Health Plan and Centene Foundation Make $200,000 Investment to Help Tackle Food Insecurity in Ohio

Rhea-AI Summary

Buckeye Health Plan and the Centene Foundation (Centene Corporation, NYSE: CNC) announced a combined $200,000 investment to the Ohio Association of Food Banks to strengthen local food resources across Ohio.

The investment is part of a $1.5 million Centene Foundation commitment nationwide and follows broader Centene nutrition work, including $77.1 million invested in 2024 and nutrition programs in more than 95% of its Medicaid plans. The release cites USDA figures: 47.4 million people face food insecurity nationally, including 13.8 million children; in Ohio about 1.4 million people (≈12% of the state) receive SNAP benefits across 723,870 households.

Insights

Community Health & CSR Analyst

Buckeye and the Centene Foundation commit $200,000 to Ohio food banks as part of a broader $1.5 million national effort to address rising food insecurity.

The contribution channels funding to the Ohio Association of Food Banks, strengthening community food resources when SNAP and WIC face disruptions. The press release cites USDA figures showing food insecurity affecting roughly 47.4 million people nationally and 1.4 million Ohioans on SNAP (~12% of the state), which frames the donation as a targeted operational support to meet immediate meal needs.

This action leverages existing programmatic experience: more than 95% of Centene’s Medicaid plans reportedly offer food or nutrition interventions, and the foundation’s national pool includes $1.5 million, while Centene invested $77.1 million in food security in 2024. The main dependencies are the pace of SNAP/WIC disruptions and local distribution capacity; the donation helps supply but does not change policy drivers. Watch near-term distribution metrics from the Ohio Association of Food Banks and any public updates on SNAP/WIC status in the coming weeks for evidence the funds meet rising demand within the winter season.

Investment strengthens community food resources for families  struggling to access healthy meals

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Buckeye Health Plan and Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), today announced a strategic and timely investment aimed at addressing food insecurity across Ohio. This initiative comes as millions of Americans face increasing challenges in accessing nutritious meals due to recent disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), food insecurity currently affects approximately 47.4 million people nationwide, including 13.8 million children. About 1.4 million Ohioans receive SNAP benefits, which is about 12% of the state's population. This includes 723,870 households.

The combined $200,000 investment to the Ohio Association of Food Banks will help support access to healthy, nutritious food in communities across Ohio. This support is a continuation of Buckeye's commitment to helping those most in need and advancing long-term solutions to hunger and nutrition challenges.

This investment is part of a $1.5 million commitment from the Centene Foundation to organizations across the country, particularly food banks and other community-based groups that are typically preparing for winter but may already be experiencing critical shortages.

"Families across the country are facing unprecedented challenges as essential nutrition programs experience strain and demand for food assistance continues to rise. Local organizations have been working tirelessly to meet these needs, and this emergency funding will strengthen their efforts — helping ensure that children and families most at risk have access to healthy meals during this critical time," said Centene's Chief Health Officer Alice Chen. "Access to nutritious food is foundational to good health, and sustained investment in these programs is essential to improving long-term outcomes for vulnerable communities."

Centene has long championed the fight against food insecurity. With more than 95% of its Medicaid plans offering food or nutrition intervention programs, which help address the social factors driving 80% of health outcomes, access to nutritious food remains a vital health priority.

In 2024, Centene invested $77.1 million toward food security. Specifically, Centene's efforts have spanned multiple states, leveraging innovative, community-based partnerships to combat food insecurity and chronic disease – from Fresh Food Pharmacies in Michigan to farmers market produce vouchers in Illinois, grocery support for diabetic members in Nebraska and maternal care food programs in Arkansas – reinforcing Centene's long-standing commitment to food as a critical driver of health.

These investments reflect Centene's broader mission to transform community health through locally driven solutions, addressing drivers like access to nutritious food and promoting long-term sustainability by integrating food access with healthcare services.

About Buckeye Health Plan
Buckeye Health Plan offers managed healthcare for Ohioans on Medicaid, Medicare, integrated Medicaid-Medicare (called MyCare Ohio) and the Health Insurance Exchange. Since 2004, Buckeye has been dedicated to improving the health of Ohioans, many with low incomes, by providing coordinated healthcare and other essential support that individuals and families need to grow and thrive. Buckeye Health Plan is a Centene Corporation company. For more information, visit www.buckeyehealthplan.com.   

About Centene Foundation
The Centene Foundation (the "Foundation"), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) ("Centene"). The Foundation supports projects and initiatives strategically aligned with Centene's mission-driven culture and enhances the work Centene is doing to remove the barriers to wellness underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation is committed to addressing drivers of health and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus: healthcare, social services and education. To learn more, visit the Centene Foundation's website.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/buckeye-health-plan-and-centene-foundation-make-200-000-investment-to-help-tackle-food-insecurity-in-ohio-302619260.html

SOURCE Buckeye Health Plan

FAQ

What did Centene (CNC) and Buckeye Health Plan announce on November 18, 2025?

They announced a combined $200,000 investment to the Ohio Association of Food Banks to support access to nutritious food in Ohio.

How does the $200,000 Ohio investment relate to Centene Foundation's nationwide support?

The $200,000 is part of a broader $1.5 million Centene Foundation commitment to food banks and community groups nationwide.

What USDA food insecurity figures were cited in the Centene announcement?

The release cites 47.4 million people facing food insecurity nationally and 13.8 million children affected.

How many Ohioans receive SNAP benefits according to the announcement?

About 1.4 million Ohioans receive SNAP benefits, roughly 12% of the state population, across 723,870 households.

What past Centene nutrition investments did the announcement highlight?

It highlighted Centene's $77.1 million investment in 2024 and nutrition programs available in more than 95% of its Medicaid plans.

Will the Ohio funding directly support food banks this winter and why is timing important?

Yes; the funding is described as emergency support for food banks preparing for winter who may already face critical shortages.