This holiday season is especially difficult for many of our neighbors in Middle and West Tennessee. Delta Dental of Tennessee and Farm Bureau Health Plans are once again partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee to put hope back on the table for those facing hunger in our community during this critical time.
DELTA DENTAL OF TENNESSEE
It is estimated that 1 in 6 individuals, including 1 in 5 children, are facing hunger amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Middle Tennessee. During these unpresented times, Delta Dental is continuing its commitment to fighting hunger and improving child health – recently donating $50,000 towards five Tennessee food banks – including Second Harvest.
“Delta Dental of Tennessee’s mission is, ‘Ensuring healthy smiles’, with emphasis on the ‘E’ in ensure. Our community focus has always been on what we can do to help Tennesseans achieve those healthy smiles, and our partnership with Second Harvest and their Feeding Hope campaign is a big part of that,” said Dr. Philip Wenk, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee.
Since 2013, Delta Dental has supported Second Harvest in supplying children’s toothbrushes to our BackPack program that provides easy-to-prepare food for nearly 6,000 children in food-insecure homes on weekends as well as sponsoring our Hunger Action Month efforts and Feeding Hope campaign.
FARM BUREAU HEALTH PLANS
As one of our longtime partners, Farm Bureau Health Plans has donated more than $20,000 to Second Harvest just this year alone to help provide for our Middle Tennessee neighbors struggling with hunger – including joining the Tennessee Titans in packing BackPacks for children facing hunger and funding a recent Mobile Food Pantry.
“For 70 years, Farm Bureau Health Plans has been committed to improving the quality of life for all Tennesseans,” said Anthony Kimbrough, CEO of Farm Bureau Health Plans. “This is why we are partnering with Second Harvest in helping to provide our neighbors in need with access to healthy, nutritious food.”
This fall, Farm Bureau Health Plans helped distribute more than 31,000 pounds of fresh produce, dairy items, and shelf-stable food to more than 230 households – totaling more than 775 people – at The Family Center Mobile Food Pantry at Maury Hills Church in Columbia.