Thanks for Giving this Holiday Season!
Meredith Knopp
The leaves are turning beautiful colors, and the temperatures are slowly declining, which means it must be November. Fall is by far my favorite season – the sights, the smells, the colors – and yes, the food. Making my first pot of chili for the season was such a joy, and I love cooking side by side with my daughter, seeing her smile as we try new things together.
Our goal here at the St. Louis Area Foodbank is that every family residing in the bi-state region has access to the foods needed to create loving and lasting memories this holiday season, surrounded by warm food and friends.
During the month of November, we have many ways that we are “kicking it up a notch” as Chef Emeril Lagasse says, by raising food and funds to support neighbors in our community. The first is our “Thanks 4 Giving” campaign with our friends at Ameren. We are beyond grateful for their leadership and support. They’ve issued a “Community Challenge” grant where we can receive up to $200,000 from Ameren, if we are able to raise at least $200,000 from our community. We are thrilled that our friends at KMOV are helping us get the word out this year through a series of stories that talk about the St. Louis Area Foodbank, our programs, our partners, and our impact that will air on the 5pm news on November 4, 11, 18 and 25. We will also be featured on Great Day St Louis on November 11 during our Veterans Day distributions and on November 26 during our 7th annual Thanksgiving Together distribution event.
Our annual Thanksgiving Together event is so special. We started it 7 years ago to really engage with our community and provide healthy and nutritious foods to families so everyone could have a Happy Thanksgiving. What began with a few hundred meals being distributed in downtown St. Louis has grown to over 4,000 full Thanksgiving meals that will be distributed this year across the 26 counties that we serve. This year, there is even a new addition- pumpkin pies!
We are also adding distributions to support our military men and women and their families, and our Veterans-on Veterans Day this year – one in Belleville, Illinois and one in St. Louis.
Many people ask – where does all this food come from, and how can I help? I am glad you asked! In addition to great partnerships with farmers, growers, manufacturers, and retailers, we also count on our community to help stock the nearly 600 food pantries supported by the St. Louis Area Foodbank. In November, we will have 2 large food drives – one on Saturday, November 9 at two Fresh Thyme locations: O’Fallon, MO and Fairview Heights, IL, supported by our friends at iHeart Radio. Stop by, donate, meet your favorite iHeart Radio personalities, and make a difference with us! 
Our largest food drive of the year is “Scouting for Food”. On Saturday, November 16, Greater St. Louis Area Council Scouting will place food donation bags at residences across the bi-state region. Simply fill the bags and leave them out on November 23 for pick up. Scouts BSA and the St. Louis Area Foodbank will arrange pick up.
There is no shortage of ways to give this holiday season – and we are grateful for your support. A full listing of all of our events is below – and as always, please visit our website at: https://stlfoodbank.org for more information, or follow us on social media @stlfoodbank on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
This holiday season, as you are reflecting on all the reasons you are thankful, we will simply and humbly ask that you think about how you might make a difference in the lives of another family this season. Please support the St. Louis Area Foodbank this holiday season to give food, give love, and give hope to neighbors in our community.
From all of us to all of you, we wish you and your families a healthy and happy Thanksgiving – filled with food, family, friends, and fun.
Here is the lineup of our events and opportunities for you to join us in making a different this November- thank you for your support, and Thanks 4 Giving!!!
Nov. 1 – 30: Ameren Thanks for Giving Community Challenge
This November, Ameren is once again kicking off its Thanks for Giving Community Challenge Grant to help feed families across Missouri and Illinois. Ameren is matching all donations made to the St. Louis Area Foodbank, up to $200,000.
This year, the goal is to raise a total of $500,000 in foodbank donations, which is equivalent to approximately 1.5 million meals. Visit stlfoodbank.org/thanks4giving to donate.
Nov. 9: Food Drive at Fresh Thyme Market (MO & IL locations)
10 am – 2 pm
2235 State Hwy K, O’Fallon, MO
AND
6569 N Illinois St, Fairview Heights, IL
Help feed a local family this holiday season. Stop by Fresh Thyme Market in O’Fallon, MO or Fairview Heights, IL to support a food drive for the St. Louis Area Foodbank. iHeart radio personalities will be on site for meet and greets.
Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day Food Distributions (MO & IL locations)
9:30 – 11 am
First United Presbyterian Church
1303 Royal Heights Rd, Belleville, IL 62223
AND
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Starr Parking Lott
611 South 8th St, St. Louis, MO 63102
Free food distribution events in MO and IL for Veterans, active military, and their immediate family members. A mix of fresh and shelf-stable food items, as well as personal care products will be provided. Community Resources team will be on site, providing assistance with other resources. Please be prepared to present military ID, Veteran ID, or other valid documentation.
Nov. 16-23: Scouting for Food 2024
On Saturday, Nov. 16, Greater St. Louis Area Council Scouting will place food donation bags at residences across the bi-state region. Simply fill the bags and leave them out on Nov. 23 for pick up. Scouts BSA and the St. Louis Area Foodbank will arrange pick up.
For a list of the best items to donate, please visit bit.ly/HolidayBestFoods.
Nov. 23: Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights (During Winterfest)
Ceremony: 5:10 pm
Tree Lighting: 5:40 pm
Kiener Plaza
500 Chestnut St, St. Louis, MO 63101
Visit the St. Louis Area Foodbank booth at Winterfest during the Festival of Lights to learn ways to get involved. For more information visit https://www.archpark.org/events/winterfest.
Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Together
9:30 – 10:30 am
Starr Parking Lott
611 South 8th St, St. Louis, MO 63102
Thanksgiving Together is a free holiday meal distribution hosted by the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Pre-registration is required (registration now closed). St. Louis Area Foodbank will distribute an additional 4,000 holiday meals to partner agencies throughout Missouri and Illinois. To find a food distribution near you, visit https://stlfoodbank.org/find-food/food-distribution-events/.
Nov. 28: Ameren Thanks-for-Giving Parade
9 am
St. Louis, MO
Parade begins at Market & N Broadway and ends at Market & N 14th St
This year, parade goers can expect over 120 parade units, including musical floats and displays, dance groups, drumlines, and marching bands from around the St. Louis region. As always, Santa Claus will be present to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season at the conclusion of the parade.For more information, visit https://holidaysinstl.com/thanksgiving-day-parade.
Dec. 3: GivingTuesday
You’ve heard of Black Friday, and Cyber Monday – but do you know about GivingTuesday?
On GivingTuesday people around the world use their individual power of generosity to support their communities. The whole world comes together to give back in many different ways: through acts of kindness, gifts of voice, time, talent, or treasure.
Consider making a gift to the St. Louis Area Foodbank by visiting stlfoodbank.org.
