Featured elected officials helped distribute food, masks and school supplies to thousands of Bronx families
NEW YORK – As children and families prepared for back to school and remote learning, EmblemHealth, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health insurers, hosted community events across the Bronx—donating thousands of resources and supplies to residents and community members.
“At EmblemHealth, we believe health care begins with the wellbeing of our members and their families,” said Karen Ignagni, Chief Executive Officer and President of EmblemHealth. “Whether it is backpacks for kids, food assistance for families, or education around specific diseases, we are always proud to partner with local leaders in the Bronx to provide support to our neighbors.”
The events, part of a ‘Healthy Food and Back to School’ series, were organized by EmblemHealth and held in partnership with BronxDocs. During each event, EmblemHealth and BronxDocs joined local elected officials and community groups to distribute school supplies, food, and healthy resources. Participating elected officials included Councilmember and Congressman-elect Ritchie Torres, Speaker of the New York Assembly Carl Heastie, State Senator Luis Sepúlveda, Assembly Member Latoya Joyner, and New York City Council Members Vanessa Gibson and Diana Ayala.
Through more than a dozen events over the last three months, EmblemHealth provided thousands of supplies and resources to the Bronx community, including:
· 1,800 food pantry boxes
· 1,800 fresh produce boxes
· 1,050 backpacks and drawstring bags
· 2,000 grocery bags
“During these uncertain times, coming together to give back to our communities is needed now more than ever,” said NYS Assembly Speaker Heastie. “This Healthy School Year Essentials event will give students the tools they need to start the school year off right. Thank you to EmblemHealth for your partnership and more importantly, thank you for caring about the families of the 83rd Assembly District.”
"Bronx communities have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it is more important than ever to form partnerships with private and public organizations to bring necessary and crucial resources to our borough,” said Congressman-elect Torres. “The economic and health fallout from the pandemic has been catastrophic, and we must do all we can to lift up and support families during these challenging times."
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight the stark inequalities within our Black and brown communities, it makes it that much more crucial to join forces with organizations to help alleviate the many hardships our neighbors are facing,” said State Senator Sepúlveda. “I am grateful to have partnered with EmblemHealth and BronxDocs for our Back-to-School events, consisting of hundreds of books bags, over 500 food boxes, and fresh produce distributed to our residents. More than ever, our partnerships are a vital component in our overall goal to provide much-needed resources to New Yorkers. We are lucky to have their support and shared vision in combating the COVID-19 pandemic."
Some of the Bronx events included:
· Mediserv Pharmacy food and resource giveaways
· Rodgers Place with State Senator Luis Sepúlveda
· River Park Residences with Assembly Member Latoya Joyner
· Sedgewick Avenue with Assembly Member Latoya Joyner
· Seymour Avenue with Speaker Carl Heastie
· Sedgewick Avenue with Assembly Member Latoya Joyner
· PSS 449 with Assembly Member Latoya Joyner
· 167th and Fulton Ave
· Sotomayor Community Center with State Senator Luis Sepúlveda
· Betances House with Congressman-elect Ritchie Torres
· NYCHA Pelham Parkway Senior Center with Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez
All events followed CDC and state guidelines to ensure the safety of the community, elected officials, and staff by providing masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer to attendees while also maintaining social distancing.
For more information on how to stay healthy in the new school year, see EmblemHealth’s preventative health guidelines on their website.
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About EmblemHealth
EmblemHealth is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health insurers, with 3.2 million members and an 80-year legacy of serving New York’s communities. The company offers a full range of commercial and government-sponsored health plans to employers, individuals and families, as well as convenient community resources. As a market leader in value-based care, EmblemHealth partners with top doctors and hospitals to deliver quality, affordable care. For more information, visit emblemhealth.com.