Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan believes building healthy communities starts long before a visit to the doctor. For children, health can begin at home, at school, and sometimes with a simple backpack filled with food.
According to the San Diego Hunger Coalition (SDHC), more than 220,000 children in San Diego County — nearly one in three, or 32% — experience nutrition insecurity, meaning they do not have reliable access to three healthy meals a day.
To help ease this burden, about 3,700 elementary school students at 90 San Diego County schools head home each Friday with discreetly packed food tucked into their backpacks, support provided through the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank’s Food 4 Kids Backpack Program. Through a matching campaign, Blue Shield Promise has helped raise $252,642 in funds for the program, expanding access to nutritious food for children and their families when school meals aren’t available. In all, the campaign will enable the food bank to provide an estimated 704,000 meals to families.
“Blue Shield Promise’s support came at a critical moment for families facing food insecurity, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership,” said Casey Castillo, chief executive officer for the San Diego Food Bank. “This $100,000 matching campaign helped ensure thousands of children enrolled in our Food 4 Kids Backpack Program have reliable access to nutritious food over the weekends. Blue Shield Promise’s investment is a powerful reminder that when we come together, we can make a meaningful difference for children and families across our region.”
The Food 4 Kids Backpack Program serves students facing extraordinary circumstances. One student undergoing cancer treatment shared that the food has helped her family “stay healthy, and not hungry.” Another student, who was initially hesitant to accept support, now looks forward to receiving the backpack each week. The student’s teacher shared that the child has become more engaged and confident, even reminding the teacher when it’s time for food distribution. Many students enrolled in the program are navigating housing instability, foster care, refugee status, or other hardships no child should have to face alone.
Blue Shield Promise proudly serves more than 540,000 Medi-Cal members throughout Los Angeles and San Diego counties — in communities that face some of the steepest barriers to health. We know that without access to basic necessities like food, the path to good health becomes significantly more difficult.
“Preventive care isn’t always found in a clinic, it’s often found in moments like these,” said Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Shield Promise. “Nutritious food is fundamental to health. When children have consistent access to healthy meals, they’re better able to learn, grow, and thrive. Together, we’re helping lay the foundation for lifelong well-being and advancing our mission to build healthier communities across San Diego County.”
To learn more about the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, click here. To learn more about Blue Shield Promise, click here.