EmblemHealth Helps New York City Students Start the School Year Strong

EmblemHealth and local partners distributed thousands of backpacks, school supplies, and nutritious food to families across the five boroughs.

PHOTO (Left to right): Council Member Sandra Ung, EmblemHealth VP Enterprise Risk Adjustment and Data Integrity John Barkley, and AVP, EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Nazneen Rahman at the Neighborhood Care Flushing back-to-school giveaway.

NEW YORK, Aug. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EmblemHealth, one of the largest not-for-profit health insurers in the nation, helped New York City families prepare for the new school year by providing essential school supplies and nutritious food at a time when back-to-school expenses can place added strain on household budgets. Throughout August, the insurer supported families through coordinated efforts led by its Community Affairs team and EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care centers.

The EmblemHealth Community Affairs team distributed 6,000 backpacks, each accompanied by a school-supply kit, as well as 4,400 bags of food. The team hosted events and donated supplies to back-to-school events organized by elected officials and community partners.

Separately, EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care distributed 2,300 backpacks filled with pencil cases and notebooks. Neighborhood Care also distributed 2,734 bags of food and 1,650 frozen chickens at back-to-school and food-giveaway events throughout the month.

“As a health plan, we remain responsive to the evolving needs of our members and the communities we serve,” said EmblemHealth’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Palmateer. “Today, that means helping students start the school year with the supplies they need, while keeping families stay connected to preventive care and essential resources that support their health.”

Together, these efforts provided New York City communities with:

• 8,300 backpacks and school-supply kits.
• 7,134 bags of food.
• 1,650 frozen chickens.
  

“I’m proud of my ongoing partnership with EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care, as we work together to meet the most pressing needs of our community, at all stages of life,” said Council Member Sandra Ung, who joined the Flushing giveaway. “As families prepare for a new school year, it is important that every student has the tools they need to succeed. I was pleased to join EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care in Flushing to help provide backpacks and school supplies to local children and connect families to community resources.”

“I am delighted to join EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care at their Bensonhurst location to support local students by providing school supplies and book bags as they begin the school year,” said Assembly Member William Colton, who joined the Bensonhurst giveaways alongside State Senator Stephen Chan. “While there are too many families with unmet needs, these efforts reflect our shared commitment to the community and are critical to a strong start in the classroom.”

“Having the right school supplies helps set our students up for success from the very first day, while helping families manage the added costs that come with a new school year,” said Assemblymember Steven Raga. “I’m grateful to EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care for providing backpacks and essential supplies to our students and for continuing to be a strong community partner in Elmhurst.”

“A big thank you to the EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Fordham Road team for partnering in our back-to-school giveaway at Quarry Ballfields,” said Council Member Oswald Feliz. “By working together, we were able to distribute backpacks and pencil cases to students in our community, helping them feel prepared for the year ahead. Special events like this remind us of the power of people coming together to support one another and make a positive impact in our community.”

For a complete list of upcoming events and more information, visit emblemhealth.com/events, email neighborhood@emblemhealth.com, or call 800-274-2950 (TTY: 711).

About EmblemHealth
EmblemHealth is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health insurers, serving members across New York’s diverse communities with a full range of commercial and government-sponsored health plans for employers, individuals, and families. With a commitment to value-based care, EmblemHealth partners with top hospitals and doctors, including its own AdvantageCare Physicians, to deliver quality, affordable, convenient care. At over a dozen EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care locations, members and nonmembers have access to community-based health and wellness guidance and resources. For more information, visit emblemhealth.com.

Contact:     
EmblemHealth Public Relations Office| Email: press@emblemhealth.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b5bc1af-b2a6-4a81-9f8a-3a9661741e4e

EmblemHealth 2026 Back-to-School Giveaway

PHOTO (Left to right): Council Member Sandra Ung, EmblemHealth VP Enterprise Risk Adjustment and Data Integrity John Barkley, and AVP, EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Nazneen Rahman at the Neighborhood Care Flushing back-to-school giveaway.