May 2018
The Food Bank's inaugural Hope for Heroes 5K event allows participants to help share food and bring hope to Veterans in need. Participants may run, walk or use a wheelchair to complete the course. Proceeds will support The Food Bank's Veteran programming.

Putting Potatoes on the Plate ... Not in the Landfill
Last month, The Food Bank received a call from a potato chip manufacturer. The company had received some potatoes that were just fine but not suitable for its product. Before sending the more than 20 tons of potatoes to the landfill, the company reached out to see if The Food Bank could pick them up.

The Warehouse team dropped everything to set out on a potato rescue mission. Employees set up, received and put away 40,703 pounds of potatoes in fewer than three hours.

Billions of pounds of perfectly good produce goes to waste in the U.S. every year. At the same time, thousands of Missourians wish desperately that they could afford to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for their families.

The Food Bank has put processes and equipment in place to make sure more of this food goes to families instead of landfills. We have expanded cool storage space in our Warehouse and at our Central Pantry, and we have used grant funding to purchase and loan coolers to our partner food pantries. We anticipate rescuing more than 30 tons of produce each year because of these efforts.

Making sure good food gets to the hands of those who need it takes everyone's help. With your donation, you can ensure we have the ability to continue to divert even more food from the landfill to the dinner table.
Mobile Pantry making stop at Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services
The Food Bank began operating a Mobile Food Pantry on the parking lot of the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services in April.

The pantry—a refrigerated box truck that distributes fresh produce, protein and dairy items—is now open from 4 to 6 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

“We are thrilled to team up with the city and county health department to locate this mobile on site,” said Lindsay Young Lopez, executive director of The Food Bank. “Those coming to the monthly pantry have told us they are excited about the new location, as well.”

The pantry had previously made a monthly stop at Indian Hills Park. The new location is more centralized and accessible and is a convenient location for many people relying on The Food Bank for healthy grocery options. More than 80 families received food during the inaugural distribution.

"We are excited to partner with The Food Bank to offer an opportunity for people to have healthy food options through the Mobile Pantry," Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Stephanie Browning said. "Access to healthy food is an important step towards keeping Columbia and Boone County families healthy." 

The Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry program makes 14 stops a month across a 32-county service area.
Agency Testimonials
Each month, we ask our partner agencies to share news from their organizations and the people they serve.

Heather Geick from The Healing House in Cole County writes:

The food that The Food Bank supplies helps men and women coming out of prison to get a good start, alleviates the burden of immediate need and brings smiles to the hearts of many.

Kim Drummond from Tipton & California Nutrition Centers in Moniteau County says:

A small center like ours benefits tremendously from The Food Bank items. The Food Bank continues to provide excellent food items to supplement our nutrition program for seniors. Thank you!

Marilyn Duckworth from Visions Unlimited in Miller County tells us:

There are members of families who come through each month at distribution who mention they would not be able to make it through the month if it were not for the pantry helping with food for their home.

Shelley Stratman from Rolla Nutrition Site in Phelps County says:

We greatly appreciate the items we receive from The Food Bank. This helps us lower our food cost. And we have received some very useful items.