WellCare Donates $2,500 To Kansas City's Metro Lutheran Ministry's Food Pantries

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. WCG, today announced that the WellCare Community Foundation donated $2,500 to support the Metro Lutheran Ministry's (MLM) food pantries. MLM is a nonprofit social service agency that provides critical help to the poorest of the poor in metropolitan Kansas City.

Tampa, Fla. (PRWEB) December 19, 2014

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. WCG, today announced that the WellCare Community Foundation donated $2,500 to support the Metro Lutheran Ministry's (MLM) food pantries. MLM is a nonprofit social service agency that provides critical help to the poorest of the poor in metropolitan Kansas City.

Area food banks have distributed 35 million pounds of food this year, up 10 percent from the prior year. However, difficult economic times have continued to drive more people to the local food banks, causing the demand for food to jump 38 percent. In addition, the approaching holidays will create an additional strain on Kansas City's already low food pantry supplies.

“More than 15 percent of people in our region are food insecure – meaning they may have food today, but they don't know if they will have food tomorrow or if they will have enough to feed everyone in their household,” said Jim Glynn, executive director of Metro Lutheran Ministry. “WellCare's generous donation will help MLM feed three additional families every month for an entire year.”

MLM serves approximately 90 hungry families each day at its three food pantries, located in Kansas City's Midtown and Northland areas, as well as Wyandotte County, Kan. During each visit, shoppers receive six to 12 grocery items, in addition to one frozen meat and one shelf-stable item, such as canned fruit, vegetables, dry milk and peanut butter. Produce, such as mustard greens, potatoes, sweet potatoes or squash are also distributed when available. In 2013, MLM pantries distributed $500,000 in food.

“Missouri Care is focused on preventive health care to improve the health and well-being of our more than 30,000 members across Kansas City,” said Barbara Witte, state president, Missouri Care. “Families cannot prioritize preventive measures when they do not have enough to eat. Every day, we refer our members to more than 4,000 unique agencies, like MLM, whose services are aimed at addressing these types of needs so our members can put their health first.”

To join Missouri Care and WellCare in supporting MLM food pantries, please donate shelf-stable food at any of their locations. For more information or to volunteer, contact Cheri Wright at 816-285-3146 or cheriwright(at)mlmkc(dot)org.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind, and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company serves approximately 4 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2014. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at http://www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at http://youtu.be/tWeMyxFaxgE.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/12/prweb12407624.htm