Eighty UnitedHealthcare volunteers worked together to pack 1,296 emergency food boxes and 900 supplemental food boxes for low income seniors at St. Mary’s Food Bank.

The event, on May 9, was part of the inaugural UnitedHealthcare Feeding America Volunteer Week, an effort in which hundreds of employee volunteers across the country come together during the second week of May to address food insecurity, according to a press release.

“We recognize that living a healthy life is about so much more than simply going to the doctor,” said Jean Kalbacher, CEO UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona in the release.

“A healthy life is about making sure your basic daily needs are met - things like access to healthy, nutritious food, as well as access to safe and affordable housing, transportation, educational resources and technology.”

Food insecurity has been a challenge for many people over the last several years. According to the latest America’s Health Rankings Report, issued annually by the United Health Foundation, Arizona ranks 32nd in overall health and 25th in food insecurity.

UnitedHealthcare has given $10 million to Feeding America food banks across the U.S. since 2018 with volunteering at the core of its company culture, noted the release.