More than 3,000 attendees received free school supplies to help prepare for the new school year.

Philadelphia, PA — Health Partners Plans (HPP), an innovative managed care organization known for addressing social barriers to health, partnered with the Philadelphia Zoo to hold a back-to-school event for families in the community. The event included school supply giveaways to help prepare them for the school year ahead. 

Nearly 3,800 people attended the event, which included scavenger hunts, raffles and other fun activities as participants walked through the zoo and learned about the animals. Families were given free notebooks, folders, crayons, pencils and other school supplies along the scavenger hunt route.

“As a managed care organization with a mission centered around our community roots, we understand that many local families need extra support this back-to-school season,” said HPP President and CEO Denise Napier. “Improving the lives of our members expands far beyond our health offerings – it includes events like this, which help our members to create healthier, fuller lives and stronger communities.”

This is the third year that HPP has partnered with the Philadelphia Zoo in hosting back-to-school events. The event was free for HPP members. Non-members paid an entrance fee, and all proceeds went to the Health Partners Foundation to support local education initiatives.

Research shows that having access to the right school supplies helps students feel prepared and confident in their ability to function in the classroom. HPP continues to work to improve both quality of life and health outcomes for its members and the communities by providing access to vital resources and education services central to good health and wellness for all.

HPP will host a similar event at the Lehigh Valley Zoo on September 17. To register or learn more, visit www.runsignup.com/hpplehighvalleyzoo.

To learn more about HPP, visit www.hpplans.com

ABOUT HEALTH PARTNERS PLANS

Health Partners Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization serving the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Headquartered in Philadelphia, HPP provides a broad range of health coverage options through Health Partners (Medicaid), KidzPartners (Children’s Health Insurance Program) and Health Partners Medicare. HPP has been building healthier lives and stronger communities since its founding more than 35 years ago.