Capital Blue Cross Grants Empower School Health Initiatives Across Region
HARRISBURG – Capital Blue Cross is helping 27 Pennsylvania schools – including five schools in the Lehigh Valley – improve the health and well-being of their students through its Live Healthy grant program.
Each Live Healthy grant provides up to $2,500 to help schools encourage physical activity, improve nutrition, and promote lifelong healthy habits. In total, Capital awarded $65,000 in grant funding this year, benefitting thousands of students and school faculty throughout Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley.
“Supporting these initiatives reflects our deep commitment to the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Capital President & CEO Todd Shamash. “By investing in our children’s health today, we’re helping build stronger, healthier communities for tomorrow. We’re proud to help bring these impactful efforts to life.”
Here are examples of the types of programs Capital’s support is making possible:
- Allentown City School District | Healthy Food Tasting: Introduces nutrient-rich smoothies into elementary school meal programs to promote balanced nutrition. Goals include boosting fruit and vegetable intake, enhancing sustainable meal options, and engaging students through flavor selection and recipe development.
- Bethlehem Area School District | School Based Vaccine Program: Plans to expand school-based immunizations for PreK through 12 students who are Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, or underinsured. With new cold storage and monitoring equipment, the program aims to prevent disease outbreaks, reduce absences, and ensure students stay in school by meeting immunization requirements.
- Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 | Indoor/Outdoor Physical Activity: Aims to launch an adaptive fitness center in the fall of 2025 for students in grades 6 through 12+ with special needs. The space will feature inclusive equipment and instruction, promoting physical wellness, emotional regulation, and lifelong fitness through PE classes and small-group wellness sessions.
- Circle of Seasons | Nutrient Dense Food: Supports K–8 student nutrition by providing healthier snacks like fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins during the school day. With no formal lunch program, the goal is to improve food access and promote lasting health awareness across the school community.
- Wilson Area School District | Classroom Physical Activity: Expands equipment and instruction for pickleball for grades K through 12. The inclusive, low-impact sport promotes cardiovascular exercise and improved coordination. Students of all abilities will benefit from increased access to engaging, community-connected movement opportunities during the school day.
About Capital Blue Cross
Capital Blue Cross serves a 21-county region in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley by offering health insurance products, services and technology solutions that provide peace of mind and promote health and wellness for our members. We focus on simplifying and personalizing the health experience and using innovative solutions – including patient-focused care models, actionable data, and digital health technologies – to create healthier lives and lower healthcare costs. Our Capital Blue Cross Connect health and wellness centers provide in-person service and inspiration to help people reach their health goals. Capital Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Information provided to TVL by:
Jeff Wirick
