Food shouldn’t be an impossible choice – yet for 1 in 9 people in Eastern Missouri and Southwestern Illinois facing hunger – they are making impossible choices far too often. Do I pay my utility bill – or eat? Can I buy groceries this week, or do I buy the allergy medicine that my child needs to thrive at school? Stop for a moment and think, if something happened and you could no longer afford to pay your bills, what would YOU choose to go without? Food? Electricity? Paying your mortgage? Medicine for you or a loved one? Transportation? Child Care? These are impossible choices that no one should have to make – yet far too many of us are making these impossible choices every month.
During the month of September, the Feeding America Network of food banks come together to raise awareness and inspire action to support our communities in a campaign aptly named, Hunger Action Month. Here are a few ways you can join the St. Louis Area Foodbank and TAKE ACTION to help those in our community facing food insecurity:
Host a Food Drive: Encourage your friends, co-workers, or community members to come together to fight hunger, no matter where they are. Consider hosting a virtual food drive! This simple collection of funds allows the St. Louis Area Foodbank to utilize their buying power to purchase food with funds donated to your drive. Or perhaps a physical food drive where you collect food and personal care items is more up your alley. Either way, get started HERE.
Shop at Dierbergs and support the Foodbank: Dierbergs and Kellogg’s are inviting you to help feed our community by shopping at Dierbergs between September 13th and October 3rd by purchasing specially marked Kellogg’s brand items, OR by donating to the St Louis Area Foodbank at the register. Proceeds from this campaign will benefit our Food on the Move program, helping ensure equitable access to healthy and nutritious foods across our region.
Donate Funds: Providing more than 46 million meals each year is simply not possible without the generosity of our donors. Consider a tax-deductible financial gift to ensure that no one has to choose between food and the basic necessities that each of us take for granted each day.
To make a donation, click HERE.
Due to the generosity of two anonymous donors, your gifts during the month of September will help twice as many people! Gifts will be matched up to $60,000!
Volunteer your time: Roll up your sleeves and dive in to support your community. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our work! We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available for individuals, families, and groups. Consider packing food boxes in our Repackaging Center, working our massive food fair at Mid Rivers Mall on Tuesday, September 27, or any of the other options available HERE.
Lend your voice – be an advocate! Did you know that one in six children in the bi-state region suffer from food insecurity or that 53% of households must choose between putting food on the table or paying for their utilities? Throughout September we will be sharing information to educate the public about the crisis of food insecurity. Follow us (@stlfoodbank) on social media, get educated, and share the information with your networks.
Regardless as to how you choose to join us this month – by donating your time, talents, or treasures to the St. Louis Area Foodbank, know we are TRULY grateful for your support helping ensure fewer of our neighbors have to make impossible choices in the future. Because we know for a fact, while hunger can affect anyone – anyone can affect hunger!
