Meridian Health Plan of Illinois and the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation, have announced a $300,000 investment to combat food insecurity throughout Illinois — including several food pantries in Southern Illinois.
The initiative comes amid growing national concerns over access to nutritious food, with the USDA reporting 47.4 million Americans—including 13.8 million children—facing food insecurity.
Locally, the funding will support the Midwest Food Bank, Tri-State Food Bank, the Southern Illinois Food Pantry Network and Eastern Illinois Foodbank, among others statewide and they include:
Beyond Hunger
Brave Space Alliance
Central Illinois Foodbank
Collinsville Food Pantry
Dream Center Peoria
Food Pantry Network-Heart of Illinois
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Gum Drops
Loaves & Fishes Community Services
Neighborhood Food Pantries
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Nourishing Hope
People’s Resource Center
River Bend Foodbank
Rock House Kids
St. Louis Area Foodbank
The Kindness Campaign
Meridian has also launched several programs to improve nutrition access:
Eat Well, Be Well – a 2025 wellness program offering healthy, affordable meal options.
Meridian at the Market – provides vouchers for fresh produce at farmers’ markets in high-need communities.
Health Happens Here Grants™ – supports local organizations addressing food access and wellness.
“Food insecurity remains one of the most urgent health challenges facing our state,” said Cristal Gary, President and CEO of Meridian Health Plan of Illinois. “By working alongside community partners, we’re ensuring families have access to healthy meals today while supporting long-term solutions.”
The Illinois investment is part of the Centene Foundation’s $1.5 million national commitment to strengthen food banks and community programs preparing for increased winter demand.
Alice Chen, MD, Centene’s Chief Health Officer, emphasized that “access to nutritious food is foundational to good health” and essential for reducing disparities in vulnerable communities.
Centene and Meridian continue to champion “food as medicine,” investing nationwide in food access programs that support chronic disease management, maternal care, and community wellness.