Scotts Valley, Calif., April 5, 2023 — Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance), the Medi-Cal managed health care plan for one out of three residents of Santa Cruz County, recently donated $28,799 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County. This funding is in response to significant impacts caused by recent atmospheric river events, which displaced residents and Alliance members from their homes. As a result, local food banks are straining to provide emergency support above and beyond their normal efforts. The Alliance’s funding to Second Harvest will support the procurement, distribution and delivery of food, services and supplies to residents, many of whom are Alliance members.
“Thanks to the support from Central California Alliance for Health, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County is able to purchase food to nourish families affected by the floods,” said Erica Padilla Chavez, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “This includes food for those residing in the evacuation center, those staying at hotels, and those staying with friends, relatives or even in their cars. Food distributions are being held regularly in Pajaro, Watsonville and in the northern part of Santa Cruz County, which was also impacted by the storms. A door-to-door warm meal program has been initiated in Pajaro thanks to the Alliance’s support. People cleaning their homes are grateful for the opportunity to have a warm meal delivered as they attempt to clear their homes of the damaged furniture and household items.”
“Our members are among the most vulnerable in our communities and are the most likely to be severely impacted by flooding, evacuations and lack of resources,” said Alliance CEO, Stephanie Sonnenshine. “Our donation is in alignment with our vision of healthy people, healthy communities and we’re grateful to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County for serving a critical role in providing the direct support our members need to survive and start to rebuild their lives.”
The Alliance is also donating funds to food banks in its services areas of Merced and Monterey counties to provide meals and other support to local displaced residents. In total, the Alliance is providing $149,999 in financial support for its local food banks, which is being distributed based on county Alliance membership numbers.
Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance) is a regional Medi-Cal managed care health plan, established in 1996 to improve access to health care for over 416,000 members in Merced, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. Using the state’s County Organized Health System (COHS) model, the Alliance delivers innovative community-based health care services by connecting members with providers that deliver timely services and care, focused on prevention, early detection and effective treatment. As an award-winning managed care health plan with a vision of “healthy people, healthy communities,” the Alliance remains focused on efforts to improve access to quality health care for its members. For more information, visit www.thealliance.health.
###
