West Virginia University Medicine (WVU Medicine) has announced a two-year, $1 million gift from the Highmark Foundation to support its Food for Mountaineers program.

The grant will enable WVU Medicine patients to access prefunded debit cards to purchase food at Kroger, Walmart, and Dollar General. According to Bread for the World and USDA data, West Virginia is the fourth hungriest state in terms of food insecurity. Simultaneously, the state faces the second-highest rate of diabetes diagnoses in the country. The food program builds on an earlier grant by the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health to support a similar collaboration with healthcare providers in the Huntington and Charleston regions.

“This is an exciting partnership with WVU Medicine and its population health department,” said Highmark Foundation president Yvonne Cook. “This opportunity allows us to advance food insecurity efforts in West Virginia and continues the Highmark Foundation’s commitment to supporting key drivers of health in the community.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Drazen Zigic)