Sandy Hook Promise and Centene Foundation Help Students Connect with Their Classmates
NEWTOWN, Conn.– Friday the 13th will be a lucky day for students at thousands of schools across the country who celebrate National No One Eats Alone® Day, a program of Sandy Hook Promise created to end social isolation and help students get to know one another, so that every student feels like they belong. Thanks to the ongoing partnership with the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), National No One Eats Alone Day is observed on February 13, 2026, with curriculum and art project materials provided at no charge.
Nationwide, more than 5,000 schools have registered to participate, reaching more than 3 million students.
According to a recent study by the World Health Organization, teenagers who felt lonely were 22 percent more likely to receive lower grades in school. Loneliness and social isolation were cited with direct correlation to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, depression, and thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation. The same study also linked social connection to improved physical and mental health.
“Social isolation harms children both physically and mentally in terms of detrimental health impacts – some of which can be long-term – and it’s also a major risk factor and warning sign for extreme situations like self-harm and violence,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise. “The power of personal connections is profoundly transformative, and that’s what’s so special about No One Eats Alone Day. Simple acts of kindness have the power to pull kids back from the brink – not only saving lives but changing them for the better. That’s why we are so honored to partner with the Centene Foundation in this incredibly important mission to protect kids. By working together, we can create safer, healthier futures for children throughout our nation.”
Participating schools will receive a free Belonging Box, which includes in-class lesson plans on social isolation and actionable steps to cultivate belonging. The Belonging Box also contains a student leadership guide, conversation starters to help students connect with someone new, and materials for Connect the Dots, an innovative art project that helps students share things about themselves and learn more about their classmates. All student-facing materials are available in English and Spanish. All Belonging Boxes are provided at no charge to schools.
“We are proud that Sandy Hook Promise and school leaders all over the country are joining together to plan No One Eats Alone Day,” said Joyce Larkin, head of the Centene Foundation. “Through this collaborative effort, we will reach millions of students around the country, helping to combat social isolation and creating a sense of belonging for everyone.”
No One Eats Alone Day was launched in a handful of schools in Northern California in 2012 by the nonprofit Beyond Differences, which became part of Sandy Hook Promise in September 2024. In 2025, Sandy Hook Promise sent more than 3,100 Belonging Boxes to schools in all 50 states, reaching over 1.5 million students on National No One Eats Alone Day.
# # #
About Centene Foundation
The Centene Foundation (the “Foundation”), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) (“Centene”). The Foundation supports projects and initiatives strategically aligned with Centene’s mission-driven culture and enhances the work Centene is doing to remove the barriers to wellness that underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation is committed to addressing social determinants of health and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus: healthcare access, social services, and education. To learn more, visit the Centene Foundation’s website.
About Sandy Hook Promise
Sandy Hook Promise(SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others, and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
Media Contact:
Nick Dmitrovich | [email protected] | 203-304-9780 Ext. 279