That’s how Sheena provided for her three children for several months when she did not have access to work or a vehicle. The Miller County resident has since secured a job and last month was able to drive to Rocky Mount food pantry to stock up on groceries.

“This will really help me stretch my check,” she said, adding that she is making minimum wage. 

The Rocky Mount Church pantry is up and running in a new building after operating out of the church basement for nearly two decades. The new building, made possible through a grant and numerous 
in-kind donations, opened this past summer. Pastor Dan Duckworth and his wife Marilyn are serving about 2,000 people every month.

Another client, Mable, relies on the pantry monthly. Her husband is a retired concrete worker and she raised five children. The couple now lives on Social Security. 

Mable stressed that nothing she picks up from the pantry is wasted.

“We use everything we get here,” she said during her March visit. When asked what she would do without it, she said the couple would "skimp."

Mable said she appreciates those who are in a position to donate to make The Food Bank possible.

“Thank you,” Sheena agreed. “This is a massive help.”

When Victor moved from the Ukraine to Columbia to be closer to his daughter and her family, he knew the first thing he needed to do was learn English.

He also wanted to find a way to learn the language while helping others. That is why he signed up to volunteer at Central Pantry.

“People here help feed people,” he said. “It is very kind. Very, very good.”

Victor knew no English when he started volunteering a year ago, Sean Ross, pantry supervisor, said. Ross paired him up with another volunteer who speaks several languages, including Russian. She translated, helping Victor get to the point where he was able to seek employment. He now works at Kraft-Heinz but still lends a hand at the pantry.

“People here are helpful," he said. "I like that.”

Ross described Victor as a “work horse” who rarely slows down.

“He is willing to do anything—stock shelves, take out the trash,” Ross said. “He’s full-speed ahead 100 percent of the time.”

For the one in six Missourians who struggle daily with food insecurity, hunger is no laughing matter.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun raising money for those in need.

Upchuckles Comedy Group from Truman State University raised $695 for The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri during the group’s first-ever faculty-only comedy show March 24. Because of The Food Bank’s affiliation with Feeding America and ability to purchase bulk food at significantly reduced costs, that donation will provide $14,595 worth of groceries that will be distributed in Adair County.

“It’s always a great combination when you can have fun while also giving back,” said Cheri Coin, regional coordinator for The Food Bank. “We appreciate this support, and we look forward to seeing the faculty show become an annual event.”

Upchuckles was founded in 2013 with Truman students performing throughout the year ever since. The March event was the first time the group was able to crown the “Funniest Faculty Member” on campus, an award that went to Dylan Phillips, annual fund officer in Truman’s Office of Advancement.

Lisa Simms, Upchuckles president, said the group wanted to use the inaugural faculty show to also support a good cause.

“We talked with our advisor about the huge need for food in Kirksville,” she said. “We just wanted to help the people of Kirksville. That’s why we contacted The Food Bank.”