Live Well Montgomery County Receives $80,000 Grant from Wellpoint to Combat Food Insecurity

Live Well Montgomery County (LWMC) is pleased to announce that they were the recipient of an $80,000 grant from Wellpoint Iowa (formerly Amerigroup) to expand existing food insecurity access programs and develop new initiatives to increase their impact across the county.

LWMC, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting health and wellness, in partnership with Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics (MCMH), other community stakeholders, and community-based organizations are working together to address food insecurity. 

Wellpoint helps improve health care access and quality for 250,000 Iowa residents who participate in the state’s Medicaid programs. The proposed programs under the Wellpoint “Adopt a County” program include initiatives such as a provider referral Food Pharmacy and Nutrition Education program, which will be the first of its kind in the area, driven by provider referral. This program will offer twice-monthly food delivery featuring fresh and locally sourced produce, protein, dairy and more, alongside nutrition education classes.

Wellpoint Iowa President, Teresa Hursey, said partnering with Live Well Montgomery County is a natural fit for the organization because Wellpoint is focused on addressing the social drivers of health – which includes access to nutritious foods.

“We are proud to partner with Live Well Montgomery County to expand access to programs helping to address food insecurity,” Hursey said. “We understand that 80 % of what affects health outcomes, happens outside the doctor’s office. Social drivers of health such as housing, transportation and access to nutritious foods are all necessary to achieving optimal health. This program will also provide nutrition education classes which are especially important for those in our community managing chronic and complex conditions.”

MCMH is proud to support these programs as part of its commitment to addressing social determinants of health within the community. "Access to healthy food is fundamental to improving health and improving the quality of life for all members of our community," said Ron Kloewer, CEO of Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics. “We are proud to work closely with Live Well Montgomery County, and we are grateful for their dedication to improving food access for our patients and all of Montgomery County.”

"We are grateful for the support from Wellpoint, which is enabling us to expand our mission of ensuring equal access to nutritious food for all members of our community," said Laura Kloewer, Chair of LWMC and Public Relations and Outreach Coordinator at MCMH. "Access to food is something no one should have to worry about, and with the help of these program dollars, we will be able to significantly increase our outreach and make a positive impact on the health and well-being of Montgomery County. A lot of people are helping to develop these programs, and I’m so grateful for the partnerships we have. Here at MCMH, our clinic staff has been closely involved in the program building efforts, and we are modeling our approach after other evidence-based food access programs around the country."

Through the collaborative efforts of LWMC, MCMH, and community stakeholders, these initiatives will work to alleviate food insecurity, promote nutrition education, and ensure access to healthy food options for individuals and families throughout Montgomery County, IA.

For more information about Live Well Montgomery County and its initiatives, please visit the Live Well Montgomery County Organization webpage.

About Live Well Montgomery County:

Live Well Montgomery County (LWMC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to promoting health and wellness through education, events, and opportunities for the community.

About Wellpoint in Iowa

Wellpoint, an Elevance Health Company, helps improve health care access and quality for 250,000 Iowa residents who participate in the state’s Medicaid programs. Wellpoint serves Iowans by developing and delivering innovative care management programs and services. Wellpoint Iowa members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. It provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. For more information about Wellpoint, please visit https://www.wellpoint.com/ia/medicaid/iowa-healthlink.

About Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics:

Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics is a leading healthcare institution dedicated to serving the needs of our community. With a focus on patient-centric care and a commitment to fostering lasting relationships, MCMH provides a comprehensive range of medical services, anchored by a team of skilled professionals.