Addressing social determinants of health — like economic instability, food insecurity, and housing — is key to unlocking optimal health. These aren’t just economic issues; they are fundamental health crises. In 2024, we estimate that we have provided access to basic needs — healthy food, safe housing and other essential items — to more than 100,000 individuals, improving their well-being and fostering healthier communities.
A Taste of Home, A Harvest of Health: Farmers feeding families
Fighting Hunger Across Generations: Serving millions of meals to seniors and children
The poignant memory of his father’s despair over inadequate food spurred Hamadi Ali on a decades-long quest. Witnessing his family’s struggle to access nutritious food in their new Buffalo home ignited a determination to reconnect his community with its agrarian roots. This deeply personal experience became the seed from which Providence Farm Collective (PFC) blossomed.
Born from a three-year pilot project — the Somali Bantu Community Farm — PFC stands as the only nonprofit in western New York directly supporting diverse communities in accessing rural farmland, farming education, and market opportunities.
Kristin Heltman-Weiss, executive director, explains, “The Somali Bantu community possesses deep agricultural knowledge. They were ideally positioned to create a solution to the lack of access to farmland.”
PFC’s impact is profound. It’s not just about providing food; it’s about restoring cultural heritage, fostering economic independence, and improving health outcomes. The organization’s programs — including the Incubator Farm, which provides 19 farmers with land, training, and resources; the vibrant Summer Vibe Youth Employment Program; and the nourishing Farmer and Youth Lunch Program — are meticulously designed to address the interconnected challenges of food insecurity, economic hardship, and cultural displacement. This vital work is made possible in part by the generous support of the Highmark Blue Fund, which is currently supporting PFC’s “Feeding Our Community” project.
“Many refugees experience health issues — high blood pressure, diabetes — uncommon in their homelands,” Weiss notes. “The shift from growing their own food to relying on processed foods has a significant impact. Our farmers are helping restore the understanding of food’s true value.”
The numbers speak volumes: over 11,000 individuals accessed food from PFC’s eight community farms last year, with over 100,000 pounds of produce grown, and 10,330 pounds donated to food pantries. Fifty summer youth employees learn agricultural traditions alongside their families, creating a legacy of sustainable food practices.
But the work isn’t finished. Weiss underscores the persistent barriers faced by resettled refugees, often relegated to food deserts lacking access to cultural crops.
By providing equitable access to land and resources, we are not just supplying food — we are cultivating health, strengthening communities, and nourishing the human spirit.
In Philadelphia, the gnawing reality of food insecurity affects hundreds of thousands. With hunger rates soaring to their highest since 2008, Share Food Program, which is supported by Highmark and Highmark Wholecare, stands as a critical lifeline, distributing about 30 million meals in 2024 alone.
As the largest senior food relief program in Pennsylvania, they deliver an average of 4,500+ nutritious food boxes monthly to homebound seniors across Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Chester counties.
Beyond seniors, Share Food Program is the sole nonprofit managing the National School Lunch Program for its region, providing food to 305,000 children across 800 schools and all 70 school districts. They are the leading hunger relief organization in their area, working with a vast network of community partners, and leveraging resources like the on-site Nice Roots Farm — annually producing more than 5,500 pounds of fresh produce to distribute for free — and the Philly Food Rescue app to minimize food waste.
Executive Director George Matysik shares a powerful anecdote: “A few years ago, a Ukrainian refugee father, tears in his eyes, sought help feeding his five daughters. Stories like this highlight the human face of hunger — a face we encounter daily.”
Share Food Program doesn’t just distribute meals — it cultivates hope. By nourishing bodies and spirits, they are building a healthier, more equitable future for generations to come. Their unwavering dedication ensures that no one in their community faces hunger alone.
The quiet desperation of suburban poverty isn’t always visible. Behind neatly manicured lawns and quiet streets, there is a silent crisis. According to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), nearly 41 million Americans live below the poverty line, and a startling majority reside in the suburbs. In Pittsburgh’s southern suburbs, this reality is acutely felt by the families served by the South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM).
For seven years, Highmark Wholecare has partnered with SHIM, witnessing firsthand the growing need.
“Food insecurity is at the heart of our work now,” explains Seth Dubin, SHIM’s director of development and communications. “Even in the suburbs, people struggle to put food on the table. They come to us for help.”
Three food pantries are the beating heart of SHIM, serving 3,900 people monthly — a testament to the hidden hunger crisis. Supported by 250 dedicated volunteers, SHIM serves 8,500 individuals annually through a network of programs encompassing youth initiatives, financial aid, and emergency grants. The face of poverty in the South Hills is diverse. Half of those served by SHIM are refugee and immigrant families.
The food pantry is often the first step. It’s not the final solution, but a crucial entry point to a wider array of resources designed to empower individuals toward self-sufficiency.
SHIM’s mission resonates deeply with Highmark Wholecare. Beyond financial support, the organization has sent representatives to their food pantries, engaging directly with the community to promote healthy choices.
SHIM aims to dismantle the shame surrounding seeking assistance. Dubin shared a moving story of a former recipient, now a major benefactor. This woman, once struggling with two young sons amidst divorce and financial hardship, received support from SHIM. Now thriving, she returns this kindness with a generous spirit, embodying the true meaning of “hand up, not handout.”
SHIM’s commitment extends beyond food. Thirteen community gardens provide over 12,000 pounds of fresh produce annually to the food pantries. Over 1,700 South Hills students received school supplies through their Back-to-School program. And as needs evolve, SHIM expands its services, addressing mental health and employment barriers to create more enduring pathways to a brighter future. The first door opened by SHIM leads to a journey of empowerment and hope, a journey of building a thriving, inclusive community, one family at a time.
