Amerigroup Foundation Presents 'Champion for Children' Award to Virginia State Senator Emmett Hanger

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Amerigroup Foundation presented Virginia state Sen. Emmett W. Hanger Jr. with its 'Champion for Children' award at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Verona on Wednesday in honor of his lifetime devotion to caring for and improving the lives of children. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank will also receive a $1,000 grant from the Amerigroup Foundation in recognition of Sen. Hanger.

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Sen. Hanger shares in the Amerigroup Foundation's objective to foster an environment where there is a continuum of education, access and care. Throughout his tenure in the state senate, Sen. Hanger has sponsored many pieces of legislation to improve opportunities for children across the Commonwealth, including addressing their educational needs.

"I am grateful and honored to receive the Amerigroup Foundation's 'Champion for Children' Award," said Sen. Hanger. "The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is a steady, reliable resource to help feed children and their families when the need arises. Children learn and perform better when they are fed well and they certainly can thrive if basic needs are met and are coupled with hope and support. I am pleased to advocate on behalf of the Food Bank and am proud to work with dedicated organizations such as the Amerigroup Foundation to help each child reach his or her fullest potential."

The CEO for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Larry Zippin said, "We are honored to receive this gift from Sen. Hanger and the Amerigroup Foundation. Their contribution will allow us to provide 4,000 meals to families and children struggling with hunger during a time when demand for our services has never been higher. On behalf of those we serve, thank you."

The Champion for Children award is part of a national program by the Amerigroup Foundation to recognize outstanding public advocacy efforts by government and community leaders to improve the health and well-being of children across the country.

"As a father of five, Sen. Hanger knows firsthand the importance of ensuring that Virginia's children receive a strong education," said John E. Littel, chairman of the Amerigroup Foundation. "We admire his tireless work on behalf of children across the Commonwealth and we are pleased that the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank will benefit from this grant. It's an honor to present this award to him."

Several Amerigroup associates volunteered at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank following the award presentation for Sen. Hanger.

About the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
Founded in 1981, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is the largest organization alleviating hunger in western and central Virginia. Headquartered in Verona, VA, the Food Bank serves 25 counties and nine cities through distribution centers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Winchester and Verona. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank distributes more than 20 million pounds of food annually to 104,000 people each month through a network of more than 300 community partners – food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, churches and other non-profit groups. The Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a national food bank association that supports more than 200 food banks across the United States. For more information, visit www.brafb.org.

About the Amerigroup Foundation
The Amerigroup Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Amerigroup Corporation (NYSE:AGP), a multi-state managed health care company based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Foundation works to create healthy communities by fostering access to health care, encouraging safe and healthy children and families, and promoting community improvement and healthy neighborhoods. For more information about the Amerigroup Foundation, please visit www.amerigroupcorp.com/foundation. 

SOURCE The Amerigroup Foundation