Superior HealthPlan and Centene Foundation Make $400,000 Investment to Help Tackle Food Insecurity in Texas

Rhea-AI Summary

Centene (NYSE: CNC) and Superior HealthPlan announced a $400,000 investment on Nov. 6, 2025 to support food security in Texas by funding 9 food banks. The funding targets communities facing heightened need after recent SNAP and WIC disruptions; USDA figures cited include 47.4 million people and 13.8 million children facing food insecurity nationwide. This gift is part of a broader $1.5 million Centene Foundation commitment to food banks and community groups, complementing Centene's 2024 spending of $77.1 million on food-security programs and the company’s nutrition interventions across most Medicaid plans.

Insights

Community health philanthropy analyst

Centene and Superior HealthPlan commit $400,000 to nine Texas food banks, extending a broader $1.5 million emergency pledge.

The gift channels cash to nine named food banks across Texas to expand immediate meal access for families amid reported strains on SNAP and WIC programs. This action connects health plan community programs to basic needs by funding local partners that distribute nutritious food, reinforcing an operational link between social-support efforts and member health services.

Key dependencies include sustained demand for food assistance and the capacity of local banks to deploy funds swiftly and effectively; the initiative's public-health benefit depends on execution, not just funding. Watch for follow-on reports on distribution volumes, geographic reach and any public metrics over the coming months, and note the broader context of a $1.5 million Centene Foundation commitment and prior 2024 spending figures when assessing ongoing program scale.

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

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Superior HealthPlan and Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), today announced a strategic and timely investment aimed at addressing food insecurity across Texas. 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.

The $400,000 investment will help 9 food banks provide access to healthy, nutritious food in communities across Texas. This support is a continuation of Superior HealthPlan's commitment to helping those most in need and advancing long-term solutions to hunger and nutrition challenges.

"For more than 25 years, Superior HealthPlan has been committed to serving families in Texas, particularly in times of need," said Superior HealthPlan President and CEO, Mitch Wasden. "Local food banks in communities across the state are doing great work every day. At the same time, we know they may be facing increased demand, so supporting them now is one of the most meaningful ways we can make a difference."

These food banks will receive funding as part of this initiative:

1. Central Texas Food Bank, Austin
2. Coastal Bend Food Bank, Corpus Christi
3. East Texas Food Bank, Tyler
4. El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, El Paso
5. Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Pharr
6. Houston Food Bank, Houston
7. San Antonio Food Bank, San Antonio
8. South Plains Food Bank, Lubbock
9. South Texas Food Bank, Laredo

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 Superior HealthPlan
For more than 25 years, Superior HealthPlan has offered high-quality health care to Texans, and is now a leading managed care company providing services to 2 million people. Committed to transforming the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time, Superior supports active local involvement in all 254 Texas counties with 3,500 employees throughout the state. Since 2020, Superior has contributed $11.9 million in grants, sponsorships and employee giving, helping support low-income communities. Superior is a company of Centene, a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information, visit www.SuperiorHealthPlan.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.

 

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SOURCE Superior HealthPlan

FAQ

What did Centene (CNC) and Superior HealthPlan announce on November 6, 2025?

They announced a $400,000 investment to support 9 Texas food banks as part of a $1.5 million Centene Foundation commitment.

Which food banks will receive the $400,000 from Centene and Superior HealthPlan?

Funding will go to nine Texas food banks including Central Texas Food Bank, Houston Food Bank, San Antonio Food Bank, and others across Austin, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Lubbock, Pharr and Tyler.

How does the $400,000 investment relate to Centene’s broader food-security efforts?

The investment is part of a $1.5 million national commitment and follows Centene’s $77.1 million 2024 investment in food-security programs.

What population figures did Centene cite when announcing the food-security funding on Nov. 6, 2025?

The announcement referenced USDA estimates of about 47.4 million food-insecure people nationwide, including 13.8 million children.

How does Centene integrate food access with healthcare for Medicaid members?

Centene noted that more than 95% of its Medicaid plans offer food or nutrition intervention programs to address social drivers of health.

Will the Centene Foundation funding for Texas food banks have immediate impact for winter shortages?

The funding is described as emergency support to strengthen local food banks facing increased demand ahead of winter.