CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Deepens Commitment to Community Health with Investment in Regional Food Banks
$250K investment supports three regional food banks to meet urgent community needs and advance long-term wellness across the region
Baltimore and Washington — CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), one of the country’s largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations, announced today an investment of nearly $250,000 in three regional food banks to help address heightened food insecurity across the Mid-Atlantic. This contribution comes in response to impacts of the federal shutdown and builds on CareFirst’s continued commitment to improving food access as a key component of managing diabetes, chronic conditions and overall community health across Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia.
“As an anchor institution and committed community partner, we see it as our responsibility to support the health and well-being of our communities—not just in moments of hardship, but through sustained action,” said Ja’Ron Bridges, Interim President and CEO of CareFirst. “Food insecurity has long impacted families across our region, and the federal shutdown has intensified those challenges, reinforcing the importance of the work our food bank partners do year-round. We’re proud to continue building on our shared efforts to expand access to nutritious food and support the vital work food banks do every day on the front lines of care.”
This investment will help these organizations expand their food access programs—providing more nutritious food, reaching more families and strengthening their ability to respond throughout the remainder of the year.
- Anne Arundel County Food Bank: Anne Arundel County Food Bank will increase distribution of food and other basics to its network of partners across the county to meet higher demand, ensuring that neighbors in need have access to free, healthy food and baby supplies throughout the coming weeks. Please visit aafoodbank.org/find-food for pantry locations and aafoodbank.org/resources for more information.
- Capital Area Food Bank: The Capital Area Food Bank will use the funds to expand food distributions across its partner network, providing shelf-stable pantry items and fresh produce to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across Washington, D.C., Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties in Maryland and Northern Virginia. Please visit capitalareafoodbank.org/find-food-assistance for food distribution locations.
- Maryland Food Bank: Maryland Food Bank’s network of community partners will expand access across the state of Maryland and continue offering nutritious food to those impacted by economic hardship, ensuring access to essential resources during this time. To learn more about the Maryland Food Bank, please visit mdfoodbank.org.
CareFirst formally presented the donation to the Capital Area Food Bank during the first Quarterfinal Washington Spirit game on November 8, where fans also contributed through food and monetary donations. Fan contributions exceeded $17,500.
“Good food is a foundational building block for good health, and good health is essential for achieving our goals and aspirations,” said Radha Muthiah, president and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank. “In difficult times like the ones so many of our neighbors are facing right now, food is often one of the first things to get cut from the household budget—and that has real and lasting consequences. The support of generous community partners like CareFirst is helping to ensure that we’re able to support people across our region with the nutritious food they need thrive, both today and into the future.”
“We’re facing a level of need that we haven’t seen since COVID,” said Leah Paley, CEO of Anne Arundel County Food Bank. “At the same time, we’ve seen an outpouring of support from our community that keeps us hopeful that we’ll be able to meet the demand.”
“At this critical time, CareFirst’s generous support will help the Maryland Food Bank bridge the gap and provide nutritious meals to neighbors across Maryland, said Elise Krikau, Chief Philanthropy Officer of the Maryland Food Bank. “We are profoundly grateful for your partnership and care for our community.”
CareFirst works closely with anchor institutions and local nonprofits to develop and support programs shaped by the communities they serve. These collaborations focus on breaking down barriers to health—like access to nutritious food—while closing gaps in care and promoting health equity. This approach to partnerships invests in lasting change and long-term community wellness.
“CareFirst is deeply committed to public health, and we know that food insecurity has a profound impact on the health and stability of our community,” said Dr. Bryan O. Buckley, Head of Public Health at CareFirst. “Access to nutritious food is essential for people to live healthy, fulfilling lives, and we’re proud to continue our longstanding partnerships with all three food banks to advance food security in the region. Our commitment goes beyond emergency relief—we are investing in sustainable solutions that empower communities and strengthen food systems that are resilient and adaptive—designed to withstand any crisis while evolving to meet challenges head-on to promote long-term health.”
To learn more about how CareFirst is transforming healthcare, visit www.carefirst.com/transformation.
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 88th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2024, CareFirst infused over $403 million to support regional community impact to improve overall health and advance accessible, affordable, equitable, high-quality healthcare. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit www.carefirst.com.