(NEWARK, NJ) -- Amerigroup New Jersey, a managed health care and health insurance provider for low-income residents, presented United Community Corporation, the Community Action Agency of Newark, with a $50,850.00 sponsorship in a ceremony at UCC’s Champion House Food Pantry in Newark on Thursday morning. 

In addition to the generous sponsorship, Amerigroup donated two brand new refrigerators and over 1,000 reusable shopping bags to support UCC’s food pantry and the UCC Cafe Mobile Feeding program in its battle against food insecurity. After the ceremony, Amerigroup pledged an additional $1,000 to UCC’s kitchen to purchase new pots and pans. 

Amerigroup has consistently supported United Community Corporation’s food assistance department and youth, family, and senior services department since becoming a sponsor in March 2021 and has played a crucial role in the growth of the UCC Cafe Mobile Feeding program and UCC’s Community Refrigerator initiative.

“One of the things that COVID exposed was how food insecurity impacts communities not only here in Newark, but across Essex County, across New Jersey, and across the country,” said Amerigroup Regional Vice President, State Affairs Patrick Gillespie. “Food insecurity is continuing even though COVID has subsided. Food pantries are facing enormous challenges because of inflation and other major supply-chain issues. The commitment from Amerigroup to combat food insecurity issues will continue.”

While introducing new initiatives such as the UCC Cafe and community refrigerators over the past year, UCC has seen a constant need for food assistance in the City of Newark and Essex County and has served 107,735 through July 2022. During that time, 22,440 people have utilized the community refrigerators - located at 106 Ann Street, 332 South 8th Street, and 219 Avon Avenue - and 8,211 have benefited from the UCC Cafe. 

UCC and Amerigroup have worked together to provide groceries and prepackaged hot meals to Newark’s senior communities on Wednesdays in August. This initiative will continue through September. The two organizations will also be working to provide groceries and resources to the community at upcoming back-to-school events throughout the City - the first will be Monday, August 29 at Franklin School in Newark at 1:00pm.

“This partnership is so important for United Community Corporation because community health and food insecurity within the City’s food deserts go hand-in-hand,” UCC Executive Director Craig Mainor said. “It’s hard to live healthy when you're living in a community where housing and food insecurity issues are on the rise."

In addition to battling food insecurity and providing healthcare, Amerigroup and UCC work together to assist low-income families and individuals with housing assistance, nutritional education, mental health, and provide direct services to families and senior citizens.

“Our partnership with UCC is so valuable to us,” Amerigroup NJ President of Medicaid Services Teresa Hursey said. “We look forward to future initiatives and events as well as ways that we can support this partnership to best serve the community.”

Amerigroup is a leading managed care company dedicated to improving lives and promoting communities by making health care simpler for individuals served by Medicare and Medicaid. Amerigroup operates from a belief that everyone deserves a medical “home” that goes beyond just providing access to care but also includes the services and support people need to live healthier lives.

United Community Corporation is the Community Action Agency of the City of Newark. It operates with a mission of assisting low-income, disadvantaged, and at-risk individuals and families, including seniors and youth, to become self-sufficient and self-supporting while enhancing their quality of life and standard of living.

Photos courtesy of United Community Corporation