CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is making a significant investment in Garrett County. A systems change is beginning to transform the way we approach food and nutrition security thanks to a $350,000 competitive grant awarded to the Population Health, Innovation, and Informatics Unit within the Garrett County Health Department. 🎉

Building Appalachian Systems Equitably (BASE). That’s the name of the proposal we submitted to CareFirst in 2024. We affectionately call this opportunity the “Beast” in our office. Bold vision, collaborative design, and a dignity-first service model make this competitive grant award one of the most ambitious systems transformations we’ve undertaken. I can’t say enough about my team, John Corbin, Christen Coddington, and Suzannah Sisler, who crush it every day! Our leadership, agency partners, and our engaged community make these types of changes incrementally possible with the goal of improving health outcomes. 

Our mission is to create a coordinated system of care that unites partners to impact the food system, reduce food insecurity, improve nutrition security, and foster a community of collaboration where deeper connections lead to greater well-being. 

There are seven major components of this funding with multiple aims, outputs, and outcomes.  Each is carefully designed to amplify the impact as we bridge gaps between food and healthcare. We are honored that our funders have entrusted us to be good stewards of their investment. 

This funding award helped us to champion a vision and develop partnerships with Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc. and Maryland Physicians Care to establish the 360 Access Hub.  Read more about the origin here: GarrettCountyFoodBank.com.

One of the deliverables written into this grant application in 2024 was to establish a food pantry/bank in Garrett County by 2027. It’s rather unusual for a grant deliverable to be accomplished two years in advance! It’s a testament to the community’s need, partner synergy,  and volunteer support. It is encouraging to me to know that opening the 360 Access Hub is just the beginning of this systems change. 

Here are some of the things you can expect from BASE: 

We invite you to explore this site and make an appointment to visit our home BASE @ 360 Access Hub, where everyone is welcome! 

We appreciate your interest in the work and taking the time to read the “about”!  Reach out to me if you would like to connect.  Email is best, shelley.argabrite@maryland.gov, but my work mobile is also an option if you want to go to voicemail 😉, 301-501-6161.

❤️ Shelley