St. Louis Food Bank Repackaging Center

Hunger is a problem that unfortunately many Missourians know all too well. It is hard for many of us to imagine that some members in our own community may not have a warm meal at night or have to sacrifice their own nutritional needs in order to give what they can to their children. Fortunately the generosity of Missourians helps to alleviate many of those challenges by offering assistance to those in need. As part of my new Show-Me Solutions initiative, it is my goal to highlight the kind nature of charitable organizations in our state that have identified a problem in their community and worked to create a solution. This month I was honored to visit the St. Louis Area Foodbank which exemplifies the very benevolent nature that Show-Me Solutions wishes to emphasize.

Each year the St. Louis Area Foodbank collects and distributes nearly 13 million pounds of food to over 450 food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and emergency feeding programs throughout the St. Louis area. The foodbank also serves as a model of efficiency, with 97 cents of every dollar they receive going directly to purchase approximately 6 pounds of food. Consequently, the organization relies heavily on donations, whether it is in donations of food, time spent volunteering, and donations in monetary form, the St. Louis Area Foodbank is an organization that Missourians can be proud to take part in.

Last week I was privileged to visit the foodbank and work alongside local high school students and community businesspeople sorting and repackaging food. It is refreshing to see that it is not only local high schools like Villa Duchense who encourage involvement in community service. Local businesses such as Maritz also foster generosity by allowing their employees several hours of paid leave to volunteer. I am pleased that the importance of volunteering is instilled at all levels in Missouri, thus ensuring that we are able to continue helping those in need.

To find out more about how you can help the St. Louis Area Foodbank, please visit their website at www.stlfoodbank.org

See photos from this event stored in the Photo Gallery.