Meridian Health Plan of Illinois and Centene Foundation Give $300,000 to Food Pantries to Help Tackle Food Insecurity in Illinois

Rhea-AI Summary

Meridian Health Plan of Illinois and Centene Foundation (NYSE: CNC) announced a $300,000 donation to support Illinois food pantries on November 6, 2025.

The funds will be distributed across named Illinois food banks and pantries and supplement Meridian programs such as Eat Well, Be Well, Meridian at the Market, and Health Happens Here Grants™ to improve access to nutritious food.

This gift is part of a $1.5 million Centene Foundation commitment nationwide and follows Centene's $77.1 million food security investment in 2024.

Positive

• $300,000 donation to Illinois food pantries (Nov 6, 2025)
• Part of a $1.5 million Centene Foundation nationwide commitment
• Centene invested $77.1 million toward food security in 2024
• 95% of Centene Medicaid plans offer food or nutrition programs

Negative

• 14.7% of Illinois population needed extra food help in August
• Local organizations facing critical shortages preparing for winter

Insights

Community Health Funding Analyst

Centene and Meridian donate $300,000 to Illinois food pantries; programmatic efforts continue alongside a $1.5 million foundation commitment.

The donation channels cash to a wide network of food banks and pantries, and complements ongoing programs such as Eat Well, Be Well, "Meridian at the Market" vouchers, and Health Happens Here Grants™. The mechanics are straightforward: philanthropic capital buys food and subsidizes access, while program models link nutrition supports to members via market vouchers and wellness programming.

Execution depends on partner capacity, distribution logistics, and sustained funding from the Centene Foundation. The announcement cites that more than 95% of Centene Medicaid plans offer nutrition programs and notes previous scale with $77.1 million invested in 2024. Watch operational metrics such as voucher redemption, pantry distribution volumes, and any public updates tied to the foundation's $1.5 million commitment over the coming winter season.

Donations strengthen community food resources for families struggling to access healthy food

CHICAGO, Nov. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian) and Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), today announced a strategic and timely investment aimed at addressing food insecurity across Illinois. This initiative comes as millions of Americans face increasing challenges in accessing nutritious food 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.

This support is a continuation of Meridian's commitment to helping those most in need and advancing long-term solutions to hunger and nutrition challenges. The $300,000 donation will help support access to healthy, nutritious food in communities across Illinois, including:

• Beyond Hunger
• Brave Space Alliance
• Central Illinois Foodbank
• Collinsville Food Pantry
• Dream Center Peoria
• Eastern Illinois Foodbank
• Food Pantry Network-Heart of Illinois
• Greater Chicago Food Depository
• Gum Drops
• Loaves & Fishes Community Services
• Midwest Food Bank
• Neighborhood Food Pantries
• Northern Illinois Food Bank
• Nourishing Hope
• People's Resource Center
• River Bend Foodbank
• Rock House Kids
• Southern Illinois Food Pantry Network
• St. Louis Area Foodbank
• The Kindness Campaign
• Tri-State Food Bank

Meridian Health Plan of Illinois has also rolled out a number of initiatives to combat food insecurity across the state, including:

• Eat Well, Be Well is Meridian's new 2025 nutrition and wellness program designed to empower its members from all backgrounds to take control of their health through relevant, affordable, and nutritious meal options. The program recognizes that food choices are shaped by culture, health needs, and access. More recipe information can be found at ILmeridian.com/eatwell.
• Meridian at the Market is a program that works with farmers' markets in communities with high food insecurities in central and southern Illinois. This initiative provides community members with access to fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables by offering vouchers to purchase fresh farm foods.
• Meridian's Health Happens Here Grants™ program distributes various sums of money to organizations that support our members' health, such as food, in communities where Meridian members live.

"Food insecurity remains one of the most urgent health challenges facing our state. In August alone, almost 14.7% of our population needed extra help to feed their families. At Meridian, we see every day how hunger affects health, dignity, and opportunity. That's why this investment is so important. By working alongside community partners, we're ensuring families have access to healthy meals today while supporting long-term solutions that strengthen the well-being of communities across Illinois," said Cristal Gary, Plan President and CEO of Meridian Health Plan of Illinois.

Meridian's support 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, MD. "Access to nutritious food is foundational to good health, and sustained investment in these programs is essential to reducing disparities and 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 Meridian Health Plan of Illinois 
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. and its family of health plans provide government-sponsored managed care to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs. This includes Meridian Medicaid Plan, YouthCare HealthChoice Illinois, Wellcare (Medicare Advantage plans), Wellcare By Meridian (Medicaid and Medicare-Medicaid plans), and Ambetter Marketplace plans. Meridian connects members to care and offers comprehensive services to support lifelong health and wellness. Meridian is a company of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. Learn more at ILmeridian.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/meridian-health-plan-of-illinois-and-centene-foundation-give-300-000-to-food-pantries-to-help-tackle-food-insecurity-in-illinois-302607660.html

SOURCE Meridian of Illinois

FAQ

What did Meridian and Centene Foundation announce on November 6, 2025 regarding food aid in Illinois?

They announced a $300,000 donation to support Illinois food pantries and nutrition programs.

Which Illinois programs will the $300,000 donation support from Meridian (CNC)?

The donation will support named food banks and pantries plus Meridian programs like Eat Well, Be Well and Meridian at the Market.

How does the $300,000 donation relate to Centene Foundation's broader commitments (CNC)?

The donation is part of a $1.5 million Centene Foundation commitment to food security nationwide.

What prior food-security investment did Centene report in 2024 (CNC)?

Centene reported investing $77.1 million toward food security in 2024.

How might Meridian's programs like Eat Well, Be Well affect members in 2025 (CNC)?

Eat Well, Be Well offers nutrition and wellness resources and culturally relevant recipes to improve member access to healthy food.

Why is emergency funding from Centene Foundation needed in November 2025 (CNC)?

SNAP and WIC disruptions increased demand; local groups face critical shortages preparing for winter.