Addressing Hunger and Nutrition

Recognizing the essential role of nutritious food in all aspects of life, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas supported 16 food banks across the state through an investment in Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. The investment is helping these critical front-line resources hire and train staff, source protein and fresh produce, implement healthy eating guidelines and build intercultural competency so they can meet the food needs of their neighbors. 

Our company and employees helped people facing hunger with additional grants and volunteer work.

One grant supported the Nourish program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, which shows people how to grow, prepare and promote food that supports lifelong health and well-being.

Another grant helped Metrocrest Services provide about 90,000 meals to children while school was out of session through its Sack Summer Hunger program.

Expanding Access to Fitness

Regular physical activity can help people reduce the impact of several chronic illnesses, improve mental health, and reduce their overall health care costs. In early 2022, BCBSTX joined National Fitness Campaign to help bring 20 outdoor fitness courts to communities across Texas. 

Boosting Economic Security and Opportunity

BCBSTX continues to make business investments in our communities, providing new sources of jobs, community resources and economic activity.

Last year BCBSTX marked 25 years since opening customer service centers in Abilene and Marshall. Together, these centers employ about 1,700 people and play a key role in supporting more than 6 million members. They train and employ customer advocates, claims adjusters and case managers, who are typically registered nurses or nurse practitioners. “Twenty-five years adds up to a great boost in local employment, wages and the tax base,” said Rush Harris, executive director of the Marshall Economic Development Corporation. “We are better because of it.” 

The economic vitality of our communities also relies on opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to learn about and pursue careers.  

The Paul Quinn College Work Program helps students develop the skills, habits and experiences they need to compete in the job market and contributes to the cost of their education.

A Paul Quinn College student joined BCBSTX for an internship spanning the 2022-2023 school year. 

We also invited students and faculty to our Richardson headquarters for an introduction to careers in health insurance and an opportunity to meet our sales teams and executives. “It’s a good feeling to come to a place we’ve never been before and just be welcomed,” student Mandy Brooks said during the event. 

Supporting Community Organizations

Many BCBSTX grants in 2022 supported organizations dedicated to providing basic economic security for members of our communities.   

NestQuest Houston Inc. helps families maintain safe housing in areas with high-performing public schools. NestQuest’s Housing and Education Stability Program works with property management companies and government agencies to help families with housing vouchers overcome barriers that limit their housing and school options. 

The nonprofit’s mission is to break cycles of intergenerational poverty and systemic school segregation. Case managers ensure families have what they need to maintain employment, get health care and thrive at school. 

BCBSTX invested in NestQuest Houston Inc., which helps families maintain safe housing in areas with high-performing public schools.

“I have been a child in the kind of household we service,” says Hannah Mannion, NestQuest’s chief development officer. “You never know what a person’s going through until you’re the one experiencing it.”

A grant to New Friends New Life in Dallas allowed the organization to help as many as 150 teens and young adults escape or avoid sex trafficking and exploitation, according to CEO Bianca Davis. New Friends New Life used the funding to operate a drop-in center for girls and women at high risk for exploitation. Since 1997, the organization has helped women and girls heal and become independent with counseling, case management, job training and child care. Davis says support from BCBSTX has helped add more services, including legal aid and employment assistance, that give girls and women the tools they need to change their lives. 

Volunteering in Our Communities

Giving our time in our communities is an important part of living our purpose. In 2022, employees volunteered more than 38,400 hours with 682 organizations through the Blue Corps^SM program. BCBSTX donated $148,000 to 130 organizations in matching dollars for hours volunteered by employees. 

Kim Droptini, our 2022 Volunteer of the Year, volunteered more than 440 hours in 2022 ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​with organizations including Minnie’s Food Pantry, Promise House and 6 Stones.

“When you’re out helping other people, when you’re part of the community, when you’re part of making other people’s lives better, it makes your life better,” she says. 

Kim Droptini, BCBSTX’s 2022 Volunteer of the Year, volunteered more than 440 hours.