Highmark launches new (un)Hungry initiative across multi-state footprint

Continuation of the community-focused healthcare organizations' commitment to addressing food insecurity

PITTSBURGH (November 12, 2025) – Highmark today announced the launch of (un)Hungry, an annual 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 insecurity 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.

After months of planning, the (un)Hungry initiative finally kicked off in each of Highmark’s regions with employee-led volunteer activities including food drives, packing back-packs and food boxes for students and veterans, signing holiday greeting cards, and constructing a major display of donated foods in its Pittsburgh Fifth Avenue Place headquarters. The campaign will run until the end of the year.

Food insecurity remains a critical public health challenge. According to Feeding America, 47.7 million Americans experience food insecurity, representing 14.3% of households. Households with children are at the highest risk, with 19.2% of households experiencing food insecurity. Highmark recognizes that food insecurity directly contributes to poor health outcomes, leading to higher rates of chronic diseases and significantly impacting healthcare costs.

"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.

Highmark's dedication to combating food insecurity is well-established. The healthcare organization provides significant funding to food partners and food banks through the Highmark Bright Blue Futures charitable giving and community involvement program. This supports projects and programs including innovative produce farms, mobile markets, farmers markets, nutrition education, healthy meal programs, and more. 

The company has also created nationally recognized solutions working with non-profit, healthcare and government partners. This includes screening over 2 million individuals for basic health needs, developing high-performing social care networks, and creating medically tailored-meal and debit card programs.

As part of the (un)Hungry campaign, Highmark will raise awareness through owned and social media, driving individuals to its website unhungry.org where they can learn more about the initiative and find ways to support its food partners. 

These partners include the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Facing Hunger Food Bank, Feedmore WNY, Food Bank of Delaware, Foodlink, Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, Helping Harvest, Mercer County Food Bank, Mountaineer Food Bank, Philabundance, Regional Food Bank of NENY, Second Harvest of Lehigh Valley, Second Harvest of NWPA, Weinburg Northeast Regional Food Bank, and Westmoreland Food Bank.

It will also be partnering with its community and sports partners throughout the coming months on specific events and promotions that will further raise awareness and support for these partners.

To learn more about the (un)Hungry initiative, watch the animated film, make a donation to a regional food bank or to find help, please visit unHungry.org.