Community Spotlight: WellCare Helps Metropolitan Ministries Bring Hope To The Homeless In The Tampa Bay Area

TAMPA – WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), continued its support of Metropolitan Ministries in 2013, helping the non-profit in its mission to bring hope to the homeless, and those at risk of becoming homeless, in the Tampa Bay area. In 2013, WellCare and its employees donated approximately $10,000, 825 pounds of food and volunteered more than 375 hours.

WellCare employees also gave more than 3,600 supplies for school, summer camp and hygiene to help students and families throughout the year. In addition, they contributed approximately 230 toys to the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent and fulfilled the Christmas wish lists of 62 children living at Metropolitan Ministries' MiraclePlace.

"What we do for the Tampa Bay community is made possible by contributions and support from corporations like WellCare Health Plans. Metropolitan Ministries is fortunate to have a partnership with such a compassionate and responsive group of employees," said Tim Marks, president, Metropolitan Ministries.

WellCare employees with some of their donations to Metropolitan Ministries in 2013.

“Giving back to the community is part of our mission to serve,” said David McNichols, state president, WellCare of Florida. “We celebrated five years of productive partnership with Metropolitan Ministries this year, and we are proud to continue our support of an organization that does so much to help people in need.” 

WellCare and Metropolitan Ministries have engaged in a public-private collaboration since 2008. The partnership leverages the organizations' unique resources and expertise to address the needs of underserved residents around Tampa Bay. Metropolitan Ministries provides services that alleviate suffering, promote dignity and instill self-sufficiency. Over the course of the holidays, more than 23,000 families from Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties sought their assistance. To learn more about how to help, individuals or organizations should contact Metropolitan Ministries at 813-209-1271 or through www.metromin.org.

As of Sept. 30, 2013, WellCare serves approximately 390,000 Medicaid plan members, 80,000 Florida Healthy Kids members, 84,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 39,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Florida.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind, and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company serves approximately 2.8 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2013. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com.