Optum, Wider Circle, and Helping Hands Community join forces to combat food insecurity in Los Angeles County
Helping Hands Community (HHC) understands the power of partnerships, which is why we are especially proud to announce that we have teamed up with two amazing organizations to bring food to Los Angeles County’s most vulnerable communities during COVID-19. Officially launched last week, “Community Food Circle” represents our partnership with Optum, a leading health services company, along with Wider Circle, a community-based organization devoted to improving health and happiness among seniors. Together, we’re packing and delivering fresh food to thousands of Optum patients who need it the most, free of charge.
“Community Food Circle” uses HHC’ tech-enabled platform to connect businesses and nonprofits who want to help with local residents in need to create seamless, organized volunteer efforts.
“Our goal through this collaboration is to get food to people who are in urgent need,” said Jaime Ramos, M.D., regional medical director for Optum California. “Food security and health are so intertwined. Together with partners who share our commitment, we’re working to address this issue and build healthier communities.”
Los Angeles County has the highest number of food insecure people in the country. An estimated 2 million people do not have access to nutritional food, which means 1 in 5 people may not know where their next meal is coming from. This reality does not sit well with HHC member Michelle Iafigliola, who leads the Field Ops team for Southern California and was present at the partnership announcement last week.
“COVID-19 has only magnified food insecurity issues,” said Michelle in an interview. “Organizing these events with volunteers and leveraging technology to be able to make a difference for an exponential number of lives has meant the world to me. It’s been very empowering”.
Since the beginning of California’s shelter-in-place order, Optum and Wider Circle have offered social support and meal delivery services free of charge to more than 20,000 Optum patients in Los Angeles County. This partnership with HHC expands the meal delivery service by offering it to an additional 60,000 Optum patients. During last week’s event, fresh food kits—which each provide an individual with 10 days of food—were delivered by Uber drivers to Optum patients across Los Angeles County. This collaborate effort will help drive our mission of protecting vulnerable populations from food insecurity and COVID-19 infection.
If you’re interested in getting involved in your local community, we’d love to have you.
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