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UPMC Health Plan Makes Donation to Scouting for Food to Fight Hunger

PITTSBURGH (April 3, 2005) — The Boy Scouts of America, Greater Pittsburgh Council's 20th annual Scouting for Food drive has received an unprecedented commitment from corporate partner UPMC Health Plan—a $125,000 donation to buy food and household items for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's "Campaign to End Hunger." The gift is part of UPMC Health Plan's larger contribution of $250,000 to the Food Bank.

"Hunger is a big need in our region, and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank needs everyone's help," said Alf Tuggle, Scout Executive of the Greater Pittsburgh Council. "For two decades now, the Boy Scouts have been a community catalyst through Scouting for Food, which not only helps to meet a need, it teaches young men about the importance of serving others. We are grateful to UPMC Health Plan for their generous example."

"UPMC Health Plan shares the Scouts' desire to make an impact on the issue of hunger, especially in education efforts about healthy living," said Diane Holder, President of UPMC Health Plan. "We are pleased to take a leadership role in investing in the issue through a hunger awareness campaign and the Scouting for Food drive."

During the month of April, Scouts from the Greater Pittsburgh Council will fan out across southwestern Pennsylvania to do a "Good Turn" by collecting nutritious food and household products for the Food Bank. The effort will involve more than 8,000 Scouts and leaders, and 260,000 employees in companies, government agencies, schools, churches and community organizations.

Since 1987, more than 71 million food items have been gathered by Scouts; last year alone, the value of donated goods topped $2.7 million.

"UPMC Health Plan is pleased to partner with the Boy Scouts and Food Bank to help lead this year's Scouting for Food drive," said Scott Lammie, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of UPMC Health Plan, and chair of the 2006 Scouting for Food campaign. "To get started, our employees are committed to gathering at least one-million units of food toward a goal of five-million units. We're encouraging other Pittsburgh area companies to get involved as well."

"A focus of Scouting for Food is to increase the nutritional value of the food and other items donated," said Joyce Rothermel, Chief Executive Officer of the Food Bank. "High protein food like tuna fish, canned beans and peanut butter are needed, along with high-fiber cereal, 100% juice drinks and canned fruit. Important non-grocery items include toilet paper, soap and toothpaste, allowing families to spend more of their household budget on food."

The campaign also includes a Virtual Food Drive. Instead of donating actual goods, contributors may visit the Food Bank's web site, www.pittsburghfoodbank.org and contribute online via a secure link.

Scouting for Food is part of the nationwide Good Turn for America initiative, which mobilizes citizens to take a stand against hunger, homelessness and poor health to make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors.

Boy Scouts of America, Greater Pittsburgh Council serves more than 48,000 youth across southwestern Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Beaver, Greene, Washington and parts of Westmoreland and Fayette counties. The Council's mission is to help instill values in young people by building the cornerstone of their character in ethics, morality and commitment, while preparing them for life's challenges. www.gpc-bsa.org

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, a member of America's Second Harvest, is a nonprofit organization committed to eliminating hunger and developing collaborative strategies to encourage self-reliance in southwestern Pennsylvania. Distributing 17 million pounds of food per year to 350 member agencies, the Food Bank serves approximately 120,000 people per month, of whom 37,000 are children. Located in an award-winning "green" warehouse in Duquesne, the Food Bank depends upon volunteers who help with food repackaging, clerical work, special events and farm activities. For every $1.00 donated, the Food Bank is able to purchase $5.00 worth of goods and services. www.pittsburghfoodbank.org.

About UPMC Health Plan
UPMC Health Plan, a leading health care benefits company located in Western Pennsylvania, is backed by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), one of the nation's top-ranked health systems. As part of an integrated health care delivery system, UPMC Health Plan partners with UPMC to improve clinical outcomes as well as the health of the greater community. The National Committee for Quality Assurance and U.S. News & World Report listed UPMC Health Plan as the top ranked health plan in Pennsylvania, and one of the top 20 health plans in the United States. The Health Plan is the only Pennsylvania plan to receive five stars in the categories of "Prevention" and "Treatment," and is the highest-ranked managed care company in the nation for breast cancer screening, for the second consecutive year. The UPMC Insurance Services Division - which includes UPMC Health Plan, UPMC for You (Medical Assistance), Community Care Behavioral Health, and EAP Solutions - serves over 700,000 members through a network that includes UPMC providers as well as affiliated hospitals and physicians, totaling more than 80 hospitals and more than 7,000 physicians in a 28-county region.

Contacts: Contacts: Bob De Witt, Boy Scouts: (412) 325-7992
Iris Valanti, Food Bank- (412) 460-3663 x208
Michael Taylor, UPMC Health Plan- (412) 454-7534

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