Orange-based CalOptima Health announced Monday it has committed $8 million to support local food distributors and assist Medi-Cal members amid uncertainty about food benefits due to the federal government shutdown.
"We are so very grateful to CalOptima Health for their support of the emergency food system supported by Orange County's two food banks," Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, said in a statement. "The food banks support close to 500 pantries in the communities where people live and work. This funding will ensure that these sites have additional, nutritious food on hand during this benefits stoppage."
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
Food benefits provided through CalFresh, part of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, have been delayed for millions of recipients due to the government shutdown. The issue has pushed up demand at area food banks as low-income families struggle to find food.
According to CalOptima, the health insurer is donating up to $1.5 million each to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and Community Action Partnership Orange County. Those organizations distribute 65 million pounds of food annually at various locations, including food banks, senior centers, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities across the county.
"CalOptima Health is acting to prevent these extraordinary events on the national level from negatively impacting the physical health of individuals in our communities," Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health, said in a statement. "We firmly believe that food is health."
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM