Food Bank to host food drive, volunteers needed

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri is partnering with grocery chains throughout Mid-Missouri, including two Jefferson City locations, to collect as many monetary donations and canned food as possible in a 12-hour spree.

The Partnership Against Hunger Fund and Food Drive, which is in its 19th year, will be set up at the Walmart on Stadium Boulevard and Schnucks on Missouri Boulevard from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday. Travis Sappington, regional coordinator, said he set a goal for $1,000 and 1,000 pounds of canned food at each location. All the food will stay local, he said.

To make that possible, though, the Food Bank is still in need of Jefferson City volunteers to hand out flyers listing needed food items. Two are needed per hour. Through its partnerships, the Food Bank can provide 15 pounds of food for every $1 donation, and $10 fills a barrel.

"There is most definitely a need, and our community is very gracious and steps up to help provide to those in need," Sappington said.

Last year, donors supplied the Food Bank with more than 11,000 pounds of food and more than $90,000. Columbia, Moberly and Fulton will also host drives.

The fund and food drive takes place during the holiday season, a time when the public feels more generous, but Lindsay Young Lopez, executive director of the Food Bank, said the need is year-round.

"We need to remember that hunger doesn't know a season. ... Once we get to the new year, that hunger issue doesn't go away," she said.

Holiday donations make up the majority of contributions the Food Bank receives annually and helps sustain its supply. The Food Bank distributed more than 1.43 million pounds of food to Cole County residents in 2014.

"I appreciate this time of thanks and giving hope to people," Sappington said.

To volunteer, email Sappington at [email protected].