LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kentucky Medicaid recently joined forces with the Boys & Girls Club of Hopkinsville & Christian County to sponsor a Back to School Bash and help prepare the Club’s 200 members to succeed during the upcoming school year. Anthem’s sponsorship helped fund a fun-filled event, and the purchase of 200 backpacks as well as thousands of school supply items that were distributed to Club members. A dozen laptop computers and tablets were also raffled off to a few lucky winners. Anthem’s sponsorship is also supporting the Club’s year-long homework incentive program which helps youth achieve good grades through fun learning activities and assistance with arts, humanities, STEM classes and homework.
“Through our work as a commonwealth-wide provider of Medicaid services to thousands of Kentucky children and families, we have come to understand the needs that exist in our communities, and we are committed to supporting efforts that eliminate barriers to improve health and lives,” said Celia Manlove, Medicaid plan president for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky. “We are proud to play a role in positively impacting so many families and helping youth prepare to focus on academic success.”
Every new school year presents financial challenges for families who have to struggle to pay for all the school supplies youth need to get through the school year. On average, resources and supplies needed to prepare a child for the upcoming school year cost approximately $500 per child. This expense may not be feasible for many Kentucky families with limited incomes. School officials have reported that youth who do not have adequate supplies, tend to miss school more often than their peers. With one in five students living in poverty across Kentucky, access to supplies becomes a significant barrier to academic success, so Anthem stepped in to help.
“Anthem’s Back to School Bash and its support made a lasting impact on our youth and their families, and we are proud to have Anthem’s help to ensure kids are ready for the upcoming school year,” said Terrence Davis, Club director of the Boys & Girls Club of Hopkinsville & Christian County.
ABOUT ANTHEM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD KENTUCKY MEDICAID
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield serves more than 120,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in Kentucky. Every day, members of the Anthem team can be found in Kentucky communities listening to our members, interacting with our providers and partnering with community-based organizations. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield began serving Medicaid beneficiaries in Kentucky in 2014. To learn more, visit https://mss.anthem.com/ky/Pages/AboutUs.aspx.
