County United Way, Inc.
Michele Walker
301-722-2700
michele@cuw.org
CareFirst Media Relations
1-800-914-NEWS (6397)
mediarelations@carefirst.com
For Immediate Release
May 29, 2025
County United Way Receives Grant from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to Tackle Diabetes in Allegany & Garrett Counties
Cumberland, MD – Today, County United Way announces it has received $119,954 of grant funding to the Nourishing Neighbors Program in Western Maryland. This is part of a $7.1 million community investment by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), one of the country’s largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations, to combat diabetes.
The Nourishing Neighbors program, a partnership with the Western Maryland Food Council, Garrett Growers, Allegany County Health Department, and Mountain Laurel Medical Group aims to provide food security and nutrition in Garrett and Allegany Counties, Maryland. This initiative addresses systemic health inequities by ensuring consistent access to nutritious food.
The Nourishing Neighbors program is expected to significantly improve food security and nutrition among disadvantaged residents in Allegany and Garrett Counties, Maryland. By providing free weekly fruit and vegetable boxes throughout various communities in the region, the program aims to reduce the prevalence of chronic health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Success will be measured through several key indicators, including the number of individuals served, the volume of fresh produce distributed, and improvements in health outcomes as reported by local healthcare providers. Additionally, surveys and feedback from participants will be used to assess the program’s impact on dietary habits and overall well-being.
The grant is part of CareFirst’s Place-Based Grants Initiative, aimed at empowering local nonprofits and public health agencies across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia to address diabetes and food-related chronic conditions. The grantees will focus on reducing health disparities by tackling food insecurity, a key factor in both prevention and management.
County United Way is one of 30 organizations in the region to receive the grant. CareFirst projects the grants will impact 1.5 million residents across the region. The funded programs focus on three key areas:
- Expanding local food systems to increase access to fresh, locally grown produce;
- Implementing food-is-medicine programs, including medically tailored meal distribution to support chronic disease management; and
- Providing food literacy, nutrition education, and healthy meal preparation training.
“The grantees CareFirst is investing in are already doing incredible work in their communities, and this funding helps them expand their reach and deepen their impact,” said Kimberly Harris, Director of Community Health and Social Impact at CareFirst. “Our commitment to place-based solutions is about working alongside these organizations to advance our shared mission of improving health through access to nutritious food and education. Meaningful change happens when communities come together.”
Food insecurity is a significant public health issue that affects overall wellness. One in nine Marylanders, including one in seven children, faces food insecurity.
To learn more about County United Way visit www.cuw.org
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County United Way, formed in 1957 is a community-wide initiative to unify and increase local charitable giving. Today, CUW is unique in our impact through our ability to forge and fund community needs in partnership with others. We partner with public agencies, organizations, and community leaders over a contiguous four-county area – Allegany and Garrett Counties in Maryland, and Hampshire and Mineral Counties in West Virginia. The most important thing to know about us is that after 68 years of advocating and fighting for the health, education and financial stability of our community, we are now advocating and fighting even harder. We know what happens when people pull together. Lives are changed, homes are saved, education advances and health improves. United is the way!
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 87th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliate4s and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals and employers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2023, CareFirst infused $233 million of regional community impact to improve overall health and advance accessible, affordable, equitable, high-quality healthcare. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit www.carefirst.com.