1,000+ New Yorkers Access Food Assistance, School Supplies, and Health Resources Through Public Health Solutions and ModifyHealth Partnership

As food insecurity and living costs rise, the partnership delivers direct support and connects vulnerable families to resources that promote long-term health and well-being.

NEW YORK, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Health Solutions (PHS), in partnership with ModifyHealth, held a back-to-school health and wellness fair on Saturday, August 29, for families in the Harlem/Washington Heights community at Church of the Intercession.

The event drew more than 1,000 attendees and offered a wide range of no-cost services, including health screenings, housing and nutrition assistance, cooking demonstrations, free backpacks and school supplies, children's activities, food, raffle prizes, and on-site assistance applying for WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid benefits. More than a dozen organizations participated, including Anthem, EmblemHealth, UnitedHealthcare, Fidelis, AIRnyc, Hunger Free America, Sentry, Sun River Health, Eve+Co, and the Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation, giving families access to a broad range of neighborhood resources in one convenient location. 

A central goal of the back-to-school fair was connecting families to WholeYouNYC, PHS' social care network that links eligible Medicaid members across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens to essential resources such as food assistance, rent and utility support, transportation, and more.

U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat, who represents New York's 13th Congressional District, and New York City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu, representing Manhattan's 7th District, joined the event to meet community members and voice their support for the families and organizations in attendance.

"Thank you to Public Health Solutions, WholeYouNYC, and their partners for making sure West Harlem and Washington Heights families start the new school year ready, backpack in hand and connected to the resources that support them. Events like this strengthen our community, and having partners doing such important work means we are able to reach more families," said New York City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu.

"Saturday's event reflected what's possible when community organizations come together around a shared goal," said Zach Hennessey, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of WholeYouNYC. "Families left with more than backpacks and school supplies. They connected to resources such as food assistance programs, community services, and health coverage support, while also gaining practical tools through activities like the cooking demonstration that can help them make healthy choices at home. That's the kind of whole-person support WholeYouNYC is designed to provide."

"Back-to-school season is a moment when families are juggling a lot at once, and we wanted to meet them where they are with real, practical support," said Jen Lane, Senior Vice President of Healthcare Partnerships at ModifyHealth. "Partnering with Public Health Solutions allowed us to combine health screenings and food resources with the everyday essentials families needed to start the school year strong, and Saturday's turnout showed just how much that support was needed." 

About Public Health Solutions
Health disparities among New Yorkers are large, persistent, and increasing. Public Health Solutions exists to change that trajectory and support underserved New Yorkers and their families to achieve optimal health and build pathways to reach their potential. As the largest public health nonprofit serving New York City, we improve health outcomes and help communities thrive by providing direct services to underserved families, supporting community-based organizations through our longstanding public-private partnerships, and bridging the gap between healthcare and community services.

About ModifyHealth 
ModifyHealth changes lives by making food-as-medicine and whole-person care simple, effective, and scalable. In partnership with health plans, providers, and community organizations, ModifyHealth delivers turnkey programs combining medically tailored meals and groceries, dietitian support, screening, care navigation, and care coordination through its proprietary CareScape™ platform. These services help Medicaid members address health-related social needs, improve access to care and nutrition, and achieve better health outcomes. For more information, visit newyork.modifyhealth.com.

Media Contacts:

For questions regarding ModifyHealth, please contact:

Ryan Moskowitz 
Chief Brand Officer, ModifyHealth 
[email protected]

For questions regarding PHS WholeYouNYC, please contact:

Carla Pisarro 
[email protected] 
Group Gordon

SOURCE ModifyHealth