UnitedHealthcare is teaming up with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, Inc. (NCHSAA), to support local communities and scholastic sports in North Carolina through a food drive initiative.

“UnitedHealthcare Sidelines Hunger” will launch during the North Carolina Coaches Association Clinic July 17-19 at the Greensboro Coliseum with a food drive challenge among the state’s prep coaches to help address food insecurity statewide. The program will culminate with a fall food drive with up to 50 teams from participating high schools competing for cash awards to the top teams at the NCHSAA Football Championships in December. This year’s program builds on a similar initiative from last season.

North Carolina is ranked the 8th most affected state by hunger in the nation with 349 food deserts in 80 counties, according to North Carolina Association of Feeding America Food Banks. Statewide, more than 1.7 million people suffer from food insecurity; and children 18 years or younger represent nearly 25 percent of those living in households without the means to get enough nutritious food on a regular basis. “UnitedHealthcare Sidelines Hunger” will work with food banks throughout the state to collect and distribute nonperishable items to neighbors in need.

“Food insecurity affects our communities’ overall health and wellbeing, and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association to bring attention and resources to our neighbors in need,” said Garland Scott, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina.

The program’s two phases launch next week. Coaches participating in the North Carolina Coaches Association Clinic are challenged to bring nonperishable items to the designated NCHSAA booth to be donated to the local food banks. Coaches who donate will be eligible to win incentives for their respective athletic programs and/or schools from UnitedHealthcare for the upcoming school year.

In September, “UnitedHealthcare Sidelines Hunger” will engage numerous schools by region through their respective teams and students to make a difference in food-insecure communities across the state through a friendly, competitive food drive. Winning schools will receive a cash award back for their school or athletic team on behalf of UnitedHealthcare and NCHSAA.

“The NCHSAA is always looking for ways to help people across the state, and we are happy to partner with UnitedHealthcare for this food drive that will support our communities,” said NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker. “We believe that this drive is a great opportunity for our coaches, member schools and their fans to come together to make a positive impact on their communities. It’s about more than just the games.”