Carolina Complete Health and the Centene Foundation have announced a $200,000 investment to address food insecurity in North Carolina. The funding will support several food banks and organizations across the state, including Common Heart, Crisis Control Ministries, Food Bank of the Albemarle, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Harnett Food Pantry, Manna Food Bank, Nourish Up, Salvation Army, The Poe Center for Education Health, Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry, and We Care Food Pantry. In addition to these groups, ten Federally Qualified Health Centers will receive funds to help distribute food directly to patients.
The announcement comes at a time when many Americans are facing difficulties accessing healthy meals due to recent disruptions in federal nutrition programs such as SNAP and WIC. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), approximately 47.4 million people nationwide are affected by food insecurity, including 13.8 million children.
Chris Paterson, CEO of Carolina Complete Health, said: “As a local Medicaid health plan, Carolina Complete Health is deeply committed to helping address the issue of food insecurity in North Carolina. Our members are among the most vulnerable, and we see firsthand how lack of access to nutritious food affects their health and well-being. Supporting solutions that bring nourishment and dignity to our communities is not just part of our mission — it’s part of who we are.”
Over the past year and a half, Carolina Complete Health has invested more than $3 million and contributed hundreds of volunteer hours toward combating hunger in North Carolina. Previous projects included funding for rebuilding a food pantry for A Lot of Direction Love and Affection (ADLA) and supporting a prescription produce program with the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO). Other recipients have included Food Connection and Second Harvest Food Bank.
This latest contribution is part of a broader $1.5 million commitment from the Centene Foundation targeting organizations nationwide that are preparing for winter but may already be experiencing shortages.
Alice Chen, Chief Health Officer at Centene Corporation, stated: “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.” Chen added: “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 emphasized its focus on fighting food insecurity through Medicaid plans that offer nutrition intervention programs designed to address social factors impacting health outcomes. In 2024 alone, Centene invested $77.1 million toward efforts related to food security across multiple states by forming partnerships aimed at addressing chronic disease through improved nutrition.
Carolina Complete Health operates as a Provider-Led Medicaid Managed Care plan in North Carolina through collaboration with Centene Corporation as well as local medical associations. The Centene Foundation serves as Centene’s philanthropic arm focusing on investments that improve healthcare access, social services, education initiatives, and overall health equity in economically challenged communities.
