CHAPEL HILL, N.C.– Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina’s (BCBSNC) annual food drive – Cross-Out Hunger Day filled two trucks with donated food for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
 
Employees gathered 19,200 pounds of food, exceeding the company goal of 10,000 pounds. The donations will provide more than 16,200 meals to the 34 counties served by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
 
BCBSNC has conducted successful food drives for the past four years. In 2005, the company decided to schedule the annual drive during the summer because it is a time of increased need. 
 
"As children begin their summer vacations, the donations by Blue Cross employees come at a critical time and will help fill the gap for a number of children whose meals are normally supplemented by the free and reduced price school meal program," said Peter Werbicki, acting president and CEO for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
 
"We’re extremely proud of our employees for recognizing that the summer is a time of need for the food bank, and for their continued dedication year after year to help feed fellow North Carolinians," said Kathy Higgins, BCBSNC vice president of Community Relations.
 
Employees were encouraged to fill grocery bags with nonperishable food items for the drive and directed to drop-off points at BCBSNC headquarters in Chapel Hill and its Customer Service Center in Durham.
 
The food drive is part of the company’s comprehensive program to promote employee community involvement, a program that also includes annual blood drives, fund-raising initiatives and volunteer opportunities. Each year since 1998, BCBSNC employees have donated more than 20,000 volunteer hours to a variety of causes. The total dollar value for this time is nearly $2.5 million.
 
 
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.5 million members, including approximately 820,000 served on behalf of other Blue Plans. For 74 years, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online at bcbsnc.com.  
 
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