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Two men, one shared passion
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In 2006, Marion Ballard began volunteering at The Food Bank.
He did not stop until 2016.
For 10 years, Ballard worked five days a week repacking bulk food, assembling Buddy Packs and building senior boxes.
Ballard, who passed away Oct. 24 at the age of 93, logged well over 10,000 hours in the Volunteer Room. That equates to working a full-time job for about five years.
"Marion's dedication to The Food Bank was remarkable," said Lindsay Young Lopez, executive director. "Not only did he come faithfully every morning five days a week, he also served as a role model and mentor to others in the Volunteer Room."
Ballard's wife, Shirley, is also a regular volunteer. The couple made such an impression on others that in 2015, an anonymous donor made a $10,000 gift in their honor to establish the Marion and Shirley Ballard Buddy Pack Fund. That fund earmarks money solely to help provide kid-friendly nutrition to children in need.
Ballard was born in Bagnell, Mo., and
served in the European Campaign during World War II reaching the rank of Army Staff SGT. He went on to earn a degree in agriculture from the University of Missouri. He is survived by Shirley, his wife of nearly 70 years, four children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
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After learning about Buddy Packs earlier this year, Frank Baldwin became a passionate advocate of the program in Camden County.
He was planning to host a barbecue for his neighborhood association to raise funding to sponsor Buddy Packs in his community.
Baldwin, 84, passed away before he was able to see it through. Since his passing, several friends have made contributions to the program in his memory.
“It was a good way to honor him and a cause that he supported,” said Sandy Letterman, a neighbor. “He felt as though no child should go hungry. There’s so much food in the world that everybody should have it available to them.”
Baldwin knew the struggles of hunger first-hand. He grew up alongside 13 siblings in the Netherlands during World War II and often recounted tales of scouring for food.
“He told me several times that he used to have to go out and pick up scraps to take home to help feed the family,” Letterman said.
A teacher, Letterman also knows the impact hunger can have on growing children.
“If they are not eating, they have a hard time concentrating,” she said. “And they’re not always in a good mood.”
Baldwin spent much of his career as a shoe designer in St. Louis. He is preceded in death by his wife, Gert. Baldwin is survived by two sons.
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"This is the food I have every day. I worry about running out of food."
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Buddy Pack Recipient, Linn County
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Fall Into Art
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Nov. 18
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Nov. 19
Parkade Center, 601 Business Loop 70 W Columbia
Now in its eighth year, Fall Into Art, hosted by the Parkade Center, blends art, music and education all while raising money to benefit The Food Bank. The event is free and open to the public.
Partnership Against Hunger
6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Nov. 21
Schnucks, Walmart, HyVee in Columbia;
Walmart stores in Boonville, Fulton, Hannibal, Jefferson City, Moberly
Join The Food Bank and radio and television personalities from Cumulus stations and KOMU as we collect food and funds for those in need during the holiday season.
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Each month, we ask our partner agencies to share stories about the people receiving our food at no charge.
This month,
Katie Matthews from Hope House in Miller County
writes:
"I recently had an elderly couple tell me that they would not be able to make it through the month without the help that Hope House provides each month."
Dorothy Herndon from Childsafe in Pettis County
writes:
“Snacks and juice were a great benefit to one of the families we served in mid-October. The caregiver talked about how things were tight at home, and how she had been eating a bit less to ensure there was enough food at mealtimes for her children and the children of other family members that she had taken in. It’s heartwarming to see how simple snacks light up a child’s day, particularly for this family, as they would probably be considered a luxury item at home.”
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The Missouri Rental Dealers Association donated $1,000 to The Food Bank's annual Score Against Hunger campaign. The campaign, which runs through the end of the year, is a partnership with the Mizzou Tigers football team and is The Food Bank's largest annual fundraising campaign. All proceeds go toward acquiring and distributing food at no charge to 142 partner agencies such as Salvation Army, Welcome Home, Great Circle, Samaritan Center and other food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens.
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In addition to self-heating meals, canned fruits and vegetables, beef sticks and toiletries, Veterans receiving their VIP Veteran Packs this month will find a little something extra. Regular volunteer Julie Ryan put out a call to friends on social media to create "Happy Veterans Day" cards to put in The Food Bank's VIP Veteran Packs. The packs are distributed at no charge to heroes in need through Central Pantry, Welcome Home and Patriot Place.
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