Anthem Foundation Supports COVID-19 Relief Efforts
By: Anthem Foundation
Tags: Community Engagement, Relief, Giving

Anthem Foundation is committed to standing with our communities and helping those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Through relationships with nonprofit organizations on the forefront of prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts, Anthem Foundation has committed or projected $50 million to support relief efforts across the country.

Here are a few examples of the partners we are working with to help during this national healthcrisis:

As a $1M-level member of the American Red Cross’ Annual Disaster Giving Program, Anthem Foundation helps provide a reliable funding base for relief services. This funding is helping the Red Cross take action against the outbreak, including assisting evacuees who have been quarantined after returning to the U.S. from overseas, investing in technology to enable Red Cross staff and volunteers to provide relief services virtually, and working with the government and communities to help distribute food amidst school closures.

Through a $75,000 grant to Direct Relief supporting their United States Emergency Preparedness and Response Program, Anthem Foundation is helping ensure medical resources are where they need to be. Direct Relief is allocating funds to bolster inventories of preventive and critical care equipment and supplies, provide emergency financial support to nonprofit safety-net health providers, and support public health efforts conducted by state and local public health agencies.

Anthem Foundation’s partnership with Americares is helping to provide personal protective equipment and training to health workers on the frontlines of the outbreak. To date, Americares has delivered six tons of protective supplies for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anthem Foundation is a Feeding America Leadership Partner. Feeding America and its entire network food of banks are continuing to serve neighbors in need. Many food banks are adapting their programs to meet increased needs for kids and families impacted by school closures as well as addressing the issue of people needing food while quarantined.

People with disabilities and those living in areas of food-insecurity are disproportionately impacted by all disasters, and access to healthy eating is going to be a critical element of surviving this pandemic. Through a new $25,000 grant, Anthem Foundation has enabled Kelly’s Kitchen and Portlight Strategies to create a cutting-edge disability-focused response to the coronavirus epidemic. The organizations are partnering with Centers for Independent Living and other disability and aging stakeholder organizations to support existing and new food pantry efforts.

Last month, Anthem Foundation announced a new grant with Mental Health America, the nation’s largest independently held behavioral health organization. The grant funds MHA’s Screening to Supports (S2S) program, an online platform offering free, anonymous mental health screens to nearly 1 million people per year, with analysis of results and customized recommendations for next steps. S2S has seen 20% increases in anxiety screens since COVID-19 started spreading across the world. As more and more places enact quarantines and social distancing, MHA has created a resource hub which is promoting, adapting and improving access around the tool to address the impacts of loneliness and isolation.

As communities across the country see their schools close, Anthem Foundation is working to redirect up to $2 million in grant funding to local Boys and Girls Clubs to help distribute meals to children and families who rely heavily on school and Club meals.

Community

The Anthem Foundation is committed to improving lives and communities. Addressing social drivers of health, we partner with nonprofits around the nation, creating and supporting programs that work to achieve a healthier generation of Americans.

If your nonprofit is in need of additional funding in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to help. Visit our website for more information on funding options that are specific to public health related initiatives, and the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Additional community resources you may find helpful include:

o United Way 2–1–1 is the most comprehensive source of locally curated social services information in the U.S

o The American Red Cross and CDC Foundation websites share Safety and Readiness Tips and Steps to Cope with the Evolving Situation.