programs

CSFP | Food Solicitation | Food Purchases | Food Drives | USDA | Transitional Housing
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

**St. Louis Area Foodbank's Executive Director Elected to Serve on National CSFP Association Board of Directors**

The USDA’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides women, children under six years of age and seniors citizens with nutritious food. In partnership with the St. Louis Area Foodbank, the Missouri Department of Health will serve 4,500 people in St. Louis City.

National figures indicate that eighty percent of those served will be senior citizens. Participants who meet income guidelines will receive a monthly food package that includes items such as canned meat, vegetables, fruits, fruit juices, potatoes, and hot and cold cereal. According to the USDA, these packages do not provide a complete diet but provide a good source of nutrients typically lacking in the diets of senior citizens.

The Foodbank is now recruiting agencies to be distribution sites for CSFP food. Agencies such as senior housing complexes, senior meal sites and food pantries serving a high percentage of seniors are all in the target zone. According to Executive Director Frank Finnegan, "The most fulfilling aspect of this program is that it brings in additional food to Missouri. I’m always looking for ways to increase our distribution – but more importantly, this will increase the overall amount of food available in the community. Acquiring resources that already exist simply to put them under the Foodbank’s umbrella would be short-sighted. That’s why I’m so excited about this program. The community of social service agencies serving those most at risk – women, children, and the elderly, now have access to new food."

Ann McCormack, Chief of the Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance for the Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services, also sees this new-to-Missouri program as an opportunity to benefit more Missouri citizens. "The CSFP is not only a perfect match with what we are currently doing in terms of impacting the nutrition of our citizens, but is another step toward the goal of serving all types of people in our communities."

For information about the Foodbank's role in CSFP, please contact:

St. Louis Area Foodbank
Agency Relations Department
(314) 292-5396
AgencyRelations@stlfoodbank.org

For more on CSFP, please visit www.dhss.mo.gov/csfp.
Food Solicitation
Both local and national food industry companies work annually with the St. Louis Area Foodbank providing us with a steady supply of product throughout each year. For more information about the program, contact Lenora Young or call her at 314/292-5395.
Protecting Food Donors:  Click here to learn about The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act which protects food donors.
Click here for Missouri's House Bill 1559 which adds grocery and convenience stores to the list of donors that can donate food to a charity or nonprofit organization for distribution without being liable for damages resulting from the food's condition.
Food Purchases
It is sometimes necessary for the St. Louis Area Foodbank to purchase product in order to provide nutritious meals to those in need. For instance, if we receive a large amount of pasta sauce through our Food Solicitation Program, we may purchase pasta to complement the donation. If you would like more information about our Food Purchase Program, contact Lenora Young or call her at 314/292-5395. Purchases are made by the Foodbank using money that is donated by corporations or individual donors.
Food Drives
In 2006, the St. Louis Area Foodbank Food Drive Program collected more 1.6  million pounds of food through 100 food drives.  Annually, we benefit from such large-scale food drives as "Scouting for Food," and the National Association of Letter Carriers' Food Drive.  However, community food drives are occuring throughout the area on a daily basis.  Businesses, and organizations sponsor food drives that help support our mission and provide product to those in need.  We have the staff and coordination necessary to make your event work perfectly.  If you would like more information about sponsoring a food drive, please contact Lenora Young or call her at 314/292-5395.
United States Department of Agriculture
The St. Louis Area Foodbank is the sole non-profit distributor of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) product for both eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois.

For more information about our USDA Program, contact Matt Dace at 314/292-5392.
Transitional Housing - Helping You Get Home
How it works: In 2006, the St. Louis Area Foodbank helped more than 400 families through its Transitional Housing Program by providing one month's supply of food and other household items to families making the move from dependence to self-sufficiency. 

Qualifications: Any family or individual leaving a functioning shelter for a house or apartment qualities for this program.

If you qualify or if your agency has clients that qualify for this program, please contact:

St. Louis Area Foodbank
Agency Relations Department
(314) 292-5396
AgencyRelations@stlfoodbank.org