A renewed partnership between Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana aims to tackle two of Indiana’s most pressing challenges at once: hunger and poor health outcomes.
The organizations announced May 13 that Anthem, through its Government Business organization, will invest $1.8 million over the next three years to support Gleaners’ hunger-relief programs across Central and Southeastern Indiana. Leaders from both organizations gathered at Gleaners’ Indianapolis facility for a check presentation and to discuss the growing relationship between food insecurity and long-term health.
The funding will support Gleaners’ 21-county service area, helping expand access to nutritious foods while also connecting Hoosiers to additional support services such as SNAP benefits, Medicaid enrollment assistance and utility assistance programs.
Neil Steffens, president of Government Business for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana, said the partnership reflects a broader approach to healthcare that goes beyond doctor visits and hospital care.
“At Anthem, we believe health begins long before someone walks into a doctor’s office,” Steffens said. “Access to nutritious food is foundational to whole health, and this investment reflects our commitment to addressing the root causes of poor health outcomes. ‘Food as medicine’ is a strategy for us to help people live healthier lives, to strengthen our communities, and to reduce long-term health care costs.”
Food insecurity continues to affect families across Indiana and the nation. According to Feeding America, millions of Americans experience inconsistent access to enough nutritious food each year, with many households forced to make difficult choices between groceries, housing, medication and transportation.
Health experts have long pointed to the connection between nutrition and chronic illness. Limited access to healthy foods can contribute to conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. Community organizations and health care providers increasingly refer to these factors as “social drivers of health” — the non-medical conditions that can significantly influence a person’s well-being.
The partnership between Anthem and Gleaners is designed to address those challenges from multiple angles. In addition to helping stock food pantries and mobile distributions, the investment will support programs intended to reduce barriers for individuals seeking long-term stability.
Fred Glass, president and CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, said the multi-year commitment will help the organization strengthen its reach and impact at a time when many families continue to struggle with rising costs.
“This multi-year commitment from Anthem allows Gleaners to deepen our impact and better serve neighbors facing hunger,” Glass said. “We know that hunger and health are deeply connected. By working together, we can provide stability and improved well-being for the individuals and communities we serve.”
Founded in 1980, Gleaners has become one of Indiana’s largest hunger-relief organizations. The food bank distributes food through a network of more than 300 community partners, including food pantries, schools and local nonprofits. Since its founding, the organization has distributed more than one billion pounds of food to Hoosiers in need.
Programs supported through the partnership include Gleaners’ Mobile Pantries, School-Based Pantries and Gleaners2Go initiatives. The organization also offers outreach and wraparound services aimed at helping families access critical public assistance programs and other community resources.
School-based programs have become especially important as many families face ongoing financial pressures. Food insecurity among children can affect academic performance, attendance and mental health, according to educators and public health advocates. Mobile pantry programs, meanwhile, help reach residents in areas where access to grocery stores or reliable transportation may be limited.
Anthem employees also contribute to the partnership through volunteer work, participating in food distribution events and other community outreach efforts.
Steffens said the investment aligns with Anthem’s broader mission to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations across Indiana.
“The Anthem Government Business organization I lead in Indiana serves many individuals who face complex challenges beyond healthcare alone,” Steffens said. “Addressing social drivers of health, like access to nutritious food, is essential to meeting their needs. With today’s donation, we believe we can help prevent more serious health issues and create healthier futures for the people we are privileged to serve.”
Health care organizations across the country have increasingly invested in community-based partnerships aimed at addressing issues such as housing instability, food insecurity and transportation access. Many experts argue that improving those conditions can reduce emergency health care costs and improve quality of life in the long term.
For Gleaners, the partnership provides both financial support and long-term stability as demand for food assistance remains high. Food banks nationwide have reported continued increases in need following years of inflation and higher grocery prices.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
