Food Bank Of Central Missouri

Project Dash Food Deliveries

Central Pantry is piloting a delivery program with the help of DoorDash. Neighbors age 60+ who live within a 10-mile radius of Central Pantry may be eligible to get food delivered to their door through the program.

About the Program

• The program provides deliveries to the first 50 eligible neighbors who call to schedule the service each month.

• To schedule: Call 874-7848 between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Tuesday or Wednesday of the delivery week.

• Schedule August 16 or 17 – delivery August 19

• Schedule September 20 or 21 – delivery September 23

• Schedule October 18 or 19 – delivery October 21

• Schedule November 15 or 16 – delivery November 18

• Schedule December 20 or 21 – delivery December 23

Central Missouri Food Bank

Through empowerment, education, and partnerships the Central Missouri Food Bank brings community resources together to feed people in need. Their Service Philosophy:

• They do not charge for food they distribute to member agencies.
• Member agencies do not charge for food they distribute to people in need.
• Their member agencies are those who serve people in great need and at greatest risk for hunger.

Why Are We Serving Here

One of the ways ForColumbia strives to love and serve our neighbors is by serving those non-profit organizations who are actively working every day in the lives of people in Columbia. One of the organizations in our city with the greatest reach is The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. This organization provides a hunger relief network that distributes millions of pounds of food annually, serving approximately 104,000 individuals monthly through 132 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other partner agencies. This amazing reach takes a lot of volunteers consistently providing help to prepare donated food for distribution. This is why we think your day will be well spent serving at The Food Bank.

Also Check: Mid-south Food Bank Mobile Pantry

Health And Safety Precautions

The Food Bank takes steps to ensure the well-being of staff, volunteers and those we serve. In addition to cleaning and sanitizing procedures, volunteer are asked to complete a health survey before each shift. We will continue to monitor and be responsive to public health guidance related to COVID-19 to maintain safety at our facilities.

A Special Thank You To Brenda Ewart

Some 26 years ago, as her youngest of three children headed into Grade 1, Richmond Hills Brenda Ewart took a part-time job as manager of the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank.

Our family attended Richmond Hill United Church where the food bank was located at the time, and the minister suggested I apply for the job, explained Ewart, stating one attraction was she could be home before her children returned from school.

But what started as a job, has become a passion and has consumed far more hours each week than originally forecast, and has pulled in her husband, Bob, as well. Although she has been paid, both have donated many volunteer hours over the years to what has become a labour of love for both.

Bob had his eyes opened and so did the kids to the need for the food bank, explained Ewart. And the volunteers have become my friends, my family. Some have volunteered longer than Ive been here! Read more.

Read Also: Food Bank Volunteer Columbus Ohio

What Can I Expect

Volunteers will be working inside to individually package a variety of mass-packaged food donations. This work is done standing at prep tables, so volunteers must be able to remain on their feet for at least two hours. More details on the specifics of the work to be done will be provided on the day of serving.

What should I bring?

Volunteers should wear appropriate attire for handling food, as specified by The Food Bank:

• closed-toed shoes no exceptions
• long hair must be pulled back hairnets will be provided and must be worn
• facial hair must be covered with Food Bank-provided beard nets
• jeans, pants or long/athletic length shorts short shorts, leggings, tights or yoga pants are not allowed
• short/long sleeve shirts shoulders must be covered be sure to wear your #ForColumbia2022 T-shirt!
• necklaces, lanyards, scarves are not allowed
• large jewelry must be under clothing or Food Bank-provided protective gear
• offensive printing on clothing as determined by Food Bank staff is not allowed.

Ontario Association Of Food Banks

The Ontario Association of Food Banks is a food bank network in the Canadian province of Ontario. Founded in 1992, the OAFB represents 125 food banks, and over 1,100 hunger-relief organizations across the province, including: urban and rural food banks, community kitchens, breakfast clubs and school meal programs, community food centres, emergency shelters, and seniors’ facilities. The mission of the Ontario Association of Food Banks is to “strengthen communities by providing food banks with food, resources, and solutions that address both short and long-term food insecurity.”

Every year, the OAFB releases a research report on hunger and food bank use in Ontario. In 2015, the OAFB Hunger Report revealed:

Read Also: St Paul’s Food Bank

Our Community Needs Help

• 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 5 children in our community struggles with hunger on a regular basis.
• More than half of the children in Mid-Missouri public schools qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches.
• Nearly 15% of Missourians live at 100% or below the Federal Poverty Level.
• In 2015, 277,687 Missouri children lived at 100% or below the Federal Poverty Level.

Food Bank For Central & Northeast Missouri Raises Awareness With Hunger Action Day

Lindsay Lopez, president and CEO of the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, wants to raise awareness and inspire action around food insecurity.

“We are so inspired by the generosity of this community and all of the many partners who want to support us in raising awareness about food insecurity,” she said.

She was among volunteers and staff of The Food Bank, along with ambassadors from the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, to commemorate Hunger Action Day on Friday.

More: Food insecurity organizations seek $5.5 million in Boone County ARPA funds for expansions

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe issued a proclamation in honor of the day.

“I encourage all of us to spend the gift of time, food or funds to help raise awareness on this issue,” she said.

Feeding America marks September as Hunger Action Month. The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri is part of the network of 200 Feeding America food banks. A food bank is akin to a wholesaler for partner agencies and other organizations that provide meals and food, such as through soup kitchens or local pantries, Lopez said.

“We are not on the front lines of distribution most of the time. We rely on those other partners,” she said.

While the event Friday was not a kickoff for further events, it was about raising awareness, Lopez said.

People and businesses were decked out in orange for the day.

More: As Food Bank prepares to move Central Pantry, city bus route change will ensure easy access

Read Also: Food Banks In Birmingham Alabama

How We Work

The Richmond Hill Community Food Bank is a non-government, independently run non-profit agency, founded to provide temporary emergency food assistance to those in need. Our strength is the generous support of the people of Richmond Hill, Thornhill and Maple, corporate supporters, food drives by churches and schools, and our staff of amazing volunteers. The food bank has a strong history in the community and became a charitable organization in 1991. It is overseen by a volunteer board of directors and has one paid, part-time manager, Lee Reynolds.

When in season, we receive fresh produce through a variety of sources: farmers markets, Seeds For Change , local gardeners and through Feed Ontario and From Earth to Table.

Financial contributions are used by the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank to provide the best services and deliver help to the people we assist.