As the price of school supplies continue to rise, AmeriHealth Caritas Florida is stepping in to help its communities by distributing school supplies to families in an effort to offset the financial burden as children return to the classroom. Throughout the summer months, AmeriHealth Caritas Florida helped to provide more than 4,000 children with school supplies during back-to-school events hosted by local organizations.
AmeriHealth Caritas Florida Community Programs & Communications Coordinator, Rachel McNair, hands out school supplies to a local family at T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society’s back to school event, one of a dozen events where AmeriHealth Caritas Florida school supplies were distributed.
“The cost of school supplies for low-income families may mean sacrificing money for necessities,” said AmeriHealth Caritas Florida Market President Melody Bonomo. “As part of our commitment to build strong communities, we’re working to help alleviate that burden for families, while also helping to support the education of children and youths.”
While school supplies are essential to a student’s success, the cost can be prohibitive for low-income families. The National Retail Federation reports that families with children in elementary through high school will spend an average of $890 on school items this year, the highest it has ever been.
AmeriHealth Caritas Florida was proud to distribute more than 4,000 pencil cases filled with essential supplies at a dozen events, hosted by organizations throughout Martin, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties, including:
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Pine Ridge Holistic Living Center and West Palm Beach Housing Authority
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Diabetes Coalition of Palm Beach County & Azure Estates
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Sincere2000 Foundation and The City of Riviera Beach Parks & Rec
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BRIDGES Lake Worth
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T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society
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FoundCare Health Center
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Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County
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YMCA Treasure Coast
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Belafonte Tacolcy Center
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Miami Rescue Mission
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Bethel Evangelical Baptist Church
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Lotus House Women’s Shelter
AmeriHealth Caritas Florida also supported the goals of two nonprofits, Be Strong International and Branches, through contributions, which helped deliver backpacks and supplies to local students.
About AmeriHealth Caritas Florida
AmeriHealth Caritas Florida operates as a Medicaid managed care plan through Florida’s Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, serving enrollees living in Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. AmeriHealth Caritas Florida’s strength lies in its ability to foster collaboration among network providers to facilitate optimal health outcomes for members. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritasfl.com.
