Supporting expanded food access and child safety in Missouri
Key Insights & Takeaways
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Missouri has helped fund two programs at the Fair Acres Family YMCA in Carthage that provide free meals for adults and swimming safety classes to at least 200 second graders.
- The $30,000 investment will help Fair Acres expand its existing year-round feeding program that already distributes around 40,000 free meals to children each year.
Access to nutritious food is one of the leading social drivers of health (SDOH), and nearly 800,000 people in Missouri have faced food insecurity in recent years.1
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (UHCCP) of Missouri is committed to supporting initiatives designed to increase food access, and it recently invested in a local program at the Fair Acres Family YMCA in Jasper County that will provide free meals to adults.
"Reducing food insecurity and improving nutrition is a great way to improve the overall health of Missourians," said Jamie Bruce, CEO of UHCCP of Missouri.
Expanding the Fair Acres Family YMCA feeding program
Currently, the Fair Acres Family YMCA provides around 40,000 free meals to local children each year. Its feeding program operates each weekday from 4:00–5:30 p.m. and offers a nutritious dinner to anyone under 18 years old.
With the additional funding, Fair Acres will be able to expand this service to adults — including the parents and guardians of kids who regularly benefit from the program — and advance its mission to function as a cornerstone of health and wellness in Southwest Missouri.
In addition to covering the cost of the additional meals, Fair Acres will use a portion of the funds for staff and training to support the expanded service.
Providing free safe swimming lessons for young children
Part of the investment from UHCCP of Missouri has also been used to promote safe swimming practices among second graders in the community. This summer, at least 200 children were able to complete a four-week program that teaches drowning prevention and lifesaving techniques.
Despite widespread recognition that classes improve water safety, many young students still have limited access to swimming lessons. According to the Red Cross, 79% of children living in households with incomes below $50,000 have few or no swimming skills.2
"Learning how to stay safe in the water is a lifelong skill, and we are proud to help children in Missouri access classes that can help save lives," said Bruce.
