Anthem Distributes $1.4 Million for Health Causes

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in NH and its philanthropic arm, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, invested more than $1.4 million in 2019 to improve overall health by addressing critical issues facing Granite Staters, such as food insecurity and the impacts of the opioid abuse crisis.

Anthem’s collaborations with local nonprofits also supported other health initiatives such as cancer prevention, prenatal care, heart health, physical activity, and addressing social determinants of health.

“Anthem remains committed to working with New Hampshire organizations in promoting programs and services that focus on the whole health of the individual, which includes access to health care, physical activity, and nutritious foods, and in tackling one of our biggest health issues, the opioid crisis,” says Lisa Guertin, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire. “We care deeply about the state where we live and work, and I am especially proud of the commitment Anthem’s nearly 400 associates show to their communities by donating hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars in personal contributions to directly assist nonprofits making a difference right here in New Hampshire.”

Highlights of the Foundation’s efforts to promote health and wellness in New Hampshire in 2019 included support of the following causes:

• Food Insecurity: Anthem associates packed 500 bags of nonperishable foodsto support Blessings in a Backpack’s mission to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Anthem donated the bags to the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester to supplement the Club’s food pantry.

• Substance Use Disorder: Anthem was once again the presenting sponsor of the Farnum Center’s annual “Spirit of Hope” event, designed to raise awareness about substance use disorder and to help fund treatment options in the Granite State. In addition, for the last four years, Anthem has provided funding for medication assisted treatment (MAT) training for primary care physicians via the New Hampshire Medical Society’s Bowler Foundation.

• Disabilities : The Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to support Granite State Independent Living’s efforts to provide one-on-one guidance and peer support for individuals with spinal cord injuries, including wheelchair accessible transportation and home modifications to improve access and safety in the home.

• Youth Physical Fitness: Anthem was once again a presenting sponsor of the annual Footrace for the Fallen 5K in Manchester, with proceeds supporting MPAL, an after school program that provides a variety of youth assistance programs including help with homework,  food security, and physical activity. More than 600 kids are enrolled in MPAL programs.

• Disabilities/Physical Fitness: Through the Foundation’s national partnership with Disabled Sports USA,Northeast Passage was awarded a $25,000 grant to support the organization’s competitive sports programming for individuals with disabilities, including travel expenses for competitions and much-needed equipment. The grant also supported Northeast Passage’s Power Soccer Tournament in November 2019, where eight teams from across New England competed at the University of New Hampshire playing a form of soccer with wheelchairs.

In addition to support given directly to these and other NH organizations, Anthem associates turned their volunteer hours into contributions for eligible charities through Anthem’s Dollars for Doers program, donating more than 1,300 hours of their time at a value of nearly $34,000. 

To learn more about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, visit Anthem’s Corporate Responsibility Report: anthemcorporateresponsibility.com  and follow @AnthemFDN on Facebook and Twitter.