Highmark announced last week the launch of (un)Hungry, a multi-faceted community movement to address food insecurity during the holidays. With planning that began more than a year ago, the campaign represents a continuation of Highmark’s deep and long-standing commitment to improving food security across Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and New York.
The initiative is designed to raise awareness and complement existing food and monetary donations during the holiday season, when individuals are more likely to give and request support. The campaign benefits 15 food partners across its footprint, including Philabundance.
The (un)Hungry launch kicked off at Highmark’s local Blue Bell office. To mark the campaign, Highmark team members participated in a Philabundance virtual food drive and wrote holiday notes that will be distributed with food deliveries. Over $750 was raised by local Highmark employees for the food drive, and Highmark presented Philabundance with a $25,000 contribution during its Camp Out for Hunger event with WMMR’s Preston & Steve.
Food insecurity remains a critical public health challenge. According to Feeding America, around 47 million Americans experience food insecurity, representing 14.3% of households. In Pennsylvania, over 1.7 million people, 13.2% of the population, struggle to regularly put food on the table. Households with children are at the highest risk, with 19.2% of households in the United States and 18.1% in Pennsylvania experiencing food insecurity. Highmark recognizes that food insecurity directly contributes to poor health outcomes, leading to higher rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“Food insecurity is a pervasive challenge that impacts the health and well-being of our communities, and Highmark has been actively addressing this challenge for years,” said Kenya T. Boswell, senior vice president of Community Affairs for Highmark Health and President of the Highmark Foundation. “With (un)Hungry that we started planning in 2024, we are igniting a movement that builds on our significant ongoing efforts and our long-standing partnerships with regional food banks. It takes a neighborhood to feed a neighborhood, and we are committed to uniting communities to provide resources to and connect those in need with essential resources and nourishment and contributing to a future free from food insecurity.”
To help spread awareness and ignite action, (un)Hungry will feature an animated film that tells the heartwarming tale of Amethyst and her twin friends, Marc & Marq, who with the help of their loyal bulldog Montague, rally their neighborhood to support a struggling family. The film aims to spark holiday joy and inspire action, creating a tradition of giving back and encouraging communities to find local resources to help.
“Philabundance’s mission to relieve hunger now and end hunger for good resonates strongly during the holidays, when so many of our neighbors face impossible choices between paying for utilities and feeding their families. That’s why we’re so grateful for this opportunity to partner with Highmark to spread the word about ways that we can work together to make the holidays joyful and abundant for everyone in our community,” said Loree D. Jones Brown, CEO of Philabundance.
As part of the (un)Hungry campaign, Highmark is expanding its presenting partnership with The Met Philadelphia to support local hunger-relief efforts through Philabundance. From November 17–28, $1 from every ticket sold to shows taking place during that period will be donated to Philabundance—up to a total of $10,000—to help provide meals for individuals and families across the region.
Highmark has already established a deep commitment to addressing food insecurity in the Philadelphia region. This includes creating strong partnerships with the Food Trust and Share Food Program to provide millions of nutritious meals, nutrition education, and access to fresh produce to local residents. Highmark also employs senior community engagement specialists who work directly with individuals to provide nutrition education, recipes, and fresh produce through programs such as Nutrition Bingo in senior living buildings.
The health plan has also created nationally recognized solutions working with non-profit, healthcare, and government partners. This includes screening over two million individuals for basic health needs, developing high-performing social care networks, and creating medically tailored meal and debit card programs.
To learn more about the (un)Hungry initiative, watch the animated film, donate to a regional food bank or find help, please visit unHungry.org.
