PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Uchennaya Ogba, (210) 978-4637, uche@ehcupr.comCommunity First Health Plans Partners with Harlandale ISD to Install Food Pantries in Fourteen Locations
SAN ANTONIO, TX (April 28, 2022) – Community First Health Plans have embarked on a unique partnership with Harlandale ISD to install 14 Community First food pantries at specific Harlandale ISD elementary, middle, and high schools before the start of the 2022 school year. A ribbon cutting / press conference will be held at Gilbert Elementary School located at 931 E Southcross 78214 on Friday, May 6, 2022, at 1:30 PM to mark the historic installation of the first 6 ½ -foot tall, weatherproof, 24/7 accessible pantry. Theresa Scepanski, a Harlandale ISD alum and President/CEO of Community First Health Plans, will officiate the ribbon cutting alongside Harlandale ISD Superintendent.
“As an alumnae of Harlandale ISD, I am delighted for the opportunity to give back to my community. This exceptional partnership will provide meals to families in need and continue to expand Community First Health Plans’ mission to support the institutions in our community because We Work Here, We Live Here, and We Give Here,” says Theresa Scepanski, President and CEO of Community First Health Plans.
In 2021, San Antonio’s only nonprofit health insurance organization set out to place 20 free food pantries across the eight counties it covers. To date, 14 have been installed and 36 additional pantries will be installed by the end of the year. The pantries provide 24/7 access to essential and non-perishable food items to Harlandale students, their families, and neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
This momentous community partnership with Harlandale ISD was approved with the full support of the Harlandale ISD Board of Trustees, and Community First Health Plans will begin installing all 14 pantries through the Summer.
“We are extremely excited and thankful to partner with Community First to provide yet another resource of help for our Harlandale ISD community. Here at Harlandale, we continually look for ways to support our Community, especially those in need. Being able to have these food pantries within our school district is another way to show our Harlandale family that we are here and we care for their well-being.” says Gerardo Soto, Superintendent, Harlandale ISD.
Community members and organizations who seek to support the Community First Food Pantry can help in several ways:
- Stop by a pantry location near you and drop off needed non-perishable donations
- Volunteer your site or property to house a Food Pantry
- Take the #StuffThePantry Challenge and help fight food insecurity
To find a Community First Food Pantry near you, please visit: https://communityfirsthealthplans.com/food-pantry/.
ABOUT COMMUNITY FIRST HEALTH PLANS
Community First Health Plans was established in 1995 by the University Health System, specifically to begin providing health care coverage to the citizens of Bexar and the surrounding seven counties. As the only locally owned and managed, non-profit health plan in the area, our commitment to our members is to provide great health care benefits backed by outstanding service, delivered by people who live right here in South Texas. Our goal is to make San Antonio have more successful health outcomes by putting the community first. Learn more at https://communityfirsthealthplans.com.
ABOUT HARLANDALE ISD
The Harlandale Independent School District serves about 12,000 students with two traditional high schools, the STEM Early College High School, Frank Tejeda Academy, four middle schools, 13 elementary schools, a facility for special needs, and two alternate campuses.
Mission Statement:
Harlandale: A family working together to create a high quality education where all students graduate to become productive and successful citizens for the 21st century.
Vision Statement:
Inspiring our students to be the change
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Uchennaya Ogba at 210-978-4637 or email at uche@ehcupr.com.