Neighbor News
CareSource Partners with Atlanta Community Food Bank for Food Distribution in Smyrna in an Effort to Fight Food Insecurity
Approximately 700 Cobb County households received healthy and nutritious foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk, and more
ATLANTA – August 18, 2017 – CareSource, Georgia’s only nonprofit managed care organization partnered with the Atlanta Community Food Bank today for a free food distribution event at the Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church in Smyrna.
The food distribution provided healthy and nutritious food for approximately 700 households in Cobb County, which is home to a significant number of food deserts. A food desert is defined as an area where households have little access to reliable sources of healthy and affordable food, such as vegetables, whole grains and lean meats.
“Many Georgia residents struggle with food insecurity and have a lack of access to healthy and affordable foods, which can be very real barriers to upward mobility,” said Bobby Jones, President Georgia Market, CareSource. “CareSource, in partnership with organizations such as Atlanta Community Food Bank, is committed to helping Georgia families combat food insecurity by hosting regular food distribution events in communities across Georgia.”
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Feeding America, the country’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, noted that 19 percent of all households in Georgia are food insecure. Experts have cited research that demonstrates a direct correlation between food deserts high rates of obesity and chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
“We are grateful to have both the financial and volunteer support from CareSource. Their donation to this food distribution will ensure that families will have a place to turn this summer for healthy options,” said Kyle Waide, CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “Through this collaboration with our partner agencies, we will be able to help more clients who face food insecurity each day."
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CareSource, which began serving Georgia’s Medicaid population July 1, 2017, is a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization with a track record of serving vulnerable and at-risk populations. CareSource, with its Southern Regional Headquarters in Atlanta, offers an innovative and successful Life Services program, which offers one-on-one coaching, support resources, and job readiness and placement opportunities. The goal is to help members reach a self-sufficient stage in their life, and lessen the need for support from government programs.
For more information visit www.caresource.com.
