Molina Healthcare of Iowa and The MolinaCares Accord Donate $100,000 to Support Senior Nutrition Food Program

WATERLOO, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Molina Healthcare of Iowa (“Molina”), in collaboration with The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”) announced a two-year grant that will help expand the Northeast Iowa Food Bank (“NEIFB”) Senior Nutrition Program. The $100,000 donation will allow the organization to purchase food that addresses the dietary needs of an older population while also increasing the number of seniors it serves.

Last year, NEIFB distributed 160,437 meals through the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging and mainly at senior center sites. This MolinaCares grant will allow the nonprofit to expand distribution by creating partnerships with hospitals and clinics, many of which are screening patients for food insecurity. With this funding, seniors in need can receive food before leaving the medical facility.

“Every senior deserves access to nutritious food that supports their health and dignity, and we are grateful to Molina Healthcare of Iowa and The MolinaCares Accord for this generous gift,” said Barbara Prather, executive director of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. “This support will help us reach more older adults with food that meets their dietary needs and create new pathways for care through hospitals and clinics. We know many seniors are facing difficult choices every day, and this investment helps ensure more of them can receive the nourishment they need to live healthier lives.”

Molina’s donation will also help improve food quality by offering easy-to-prepare, heart-healthy and low-sodium options that address common senior health concerns. Additionally, NEIFB can expand distribution of its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) educational toolkit to empower more medical providers to make referrals to local food support organizations.

“Molina Healthcare of Iowa knows food is medicine, and it’s critical that we meet the needs of an aging population by connecting them with the nutrition required to live healthy,” said Jennifer Vermeer, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Iowa. “This MolinaCares grant gives NEIFB the resources needed to expand partnerships that help remove barriers to food access for seniors.”

About The MolinaCares Accord

Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc. in 2020, The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities. The MolinaCares Accord funds such measures through The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc.

About Molina Healthcare of Iowa

Molina Healthcare of Iowa, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through the Medicaid program in Iowa. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Iowa, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.

About NEIFB

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank (NEIFB) is a proud member of Feeding America® and the Iowa Food Bank Association. NEIFB distributes nutritious food and grocery products to over 140 nonprofit organizations and programs that help families and individuals facing food insecurity. Last year, the Food Bank distributed over 8.4 million meals within its 16-county service area. For 45 years, NEIFB has alleviated hunger and provided nutrition education through its eight programs: Agency Distribution, BackPack, Cedar Valley Food Pantry, Kids Café, Mobile Food Pantry, School Market, Senior Nutrition, and Summer Feeding. To learn more, visit neifb.org.