Kaiser Permanente Provides $1.38 Million to Southern California Nonprofits to Fight Hunger
PASADENA, Calif. – To help protect the most vulnerable in our communities, Kaiser Permanente has awarded $1.38 million in donations to 25 nonprofit organizations in Southern California to help prevent hunger during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This funding is in addition to the $1 million Kaiser Permanente has already donated this year through its Food for Life grants, bringing its total contribution to nearly $2.4 million to address hunger. Funding will help area food banks to serve individuals who have struggled financially due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Many of our community partners are working tirelessly on multiple fronts to help people who are struggling with the impact of COVID-19, especially adults and children who go hungry due to the economic impact of the pandemic,” said Julie Miller-Phipps, president, Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii, Health Plan and Hospitals. “With so many people struggling to make ends meet, more than ever, food banks are a more important lifeline for those who depend on their assistance to put food on the table during these challenging times.”
Dr. Ramin Davidoff, executive medical director and chairman of the board for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, echoed those sentiments.
“Not having enough food to eat has been a long-standing concern for many families in California,” he noted. “A recent national survey by the United States Census Bureau found that food insecurity is 2.1 times what it was prior to COVID-19 and disproportionately affects children and minorities. In California, the rate is 2.4 times higher than prior to the pandemic, affecting 23% of low-income households with children. Additionally, 27% of Black, 19% of Hispanic and 8% of white households are without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.”
“We are grateful for the many community-based organizations that help feed our hungry and food insecure neighbors every day,” added John Yamamoto, vice president of Community Health at Kaiser Permanente. "These organizations are our true partners in health and equity in the communities we serve."
Food banks play a major role in the food aid sector and in addressing social determinants of health by distributing donated and purchased groceries directly to families who are unable to secure enough food for their loved ones.
“We are so thankful to Kaiser Permanente for their generous donation,” said Michael Flood, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “These funds will provide us with the equivalent of 380,000 much-needed meals to those in our community who need help right now."
"Kern County is one of the most affected counties in the nation when it comes to people experiencing hunger, and in 2020, calls for food assistance from CAPK Food Bank increased by more than 106%,” said Jeremy Tobias, CEO of Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK). “Thanks to Kaiser Permanente, we will be able to feed thousands of people across Kern County’s 8,000 square miles, and assist more than 150 CAPK Food Bank distribution partners as they work to ensure the people they serve can thrive in 2021."
The following nonprofits in Southern California will receive donations from Kaiser Permanente; Community Action Partnership of Kern, $95,000; Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County Inc., $95,000; Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, $95,000; Community Action Partnership of Orange County, $95,000; Feeding America San Diego, $80,000; Food Forward, $80,000; Feeding America Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, $70,000; Inland Valley Council of Churches (Inland Valley Hope Partners), $65,000;High Desert Second Chance, $64,000; FIND Food Bank, $60,000; Westside Food Bank, $60,000;SEE-LA – Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles, $55,000; Hunger Action Los Angeles Inc., $50,000; Special Service for Groups, $50,000; Little Tokyo Service Center, $50,000; Seeds of Hope Episcopal Church, $46,000; Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, $45,000; MEND-Meet Each Need with Dignity, $45,000; Foodshare, Inc., $40,000; Project Angel Food, $35,000; Bracken's Kitchen, Inc., $25,000; Baldwin Bethany Community Development Corporation, $25,000; One OC (Waste Not OC), $25,000;The Palm Springs Cultural Center, $15,000; and Food Finders, Inc., $15,000.
About Kaiser Permanente
For 75 years, Kaiser Permanente has been committed to shaping the future of health and health care — and helping our members, patients, and communities experience more healthy years. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Since July 21, 1945, Kaiser Permanente's mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health.