United Way & The Food Bank Live United Against Hunger: First Site for Mobile Pantry Feeds Over 150 Hungry Families

(Jefferson City, MO, February 4, 2017) To address the disparity between the level of poverty and the food currently distributed to people experiencing food insecurity, United Way of Central Missouri and their Foundation gifted a new mobile pantry truck to The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri. The first site, held early February, fed 151 hungry families.

“Based on the number of people in poverty and pounds of food distributed, Cole County has experienced a 1 million pound shortfall annually. Existing food pantries do an incredible job feeding hungry people in our community; however given local pantries are at capacity, United Way of Central Missouri formed a Bold Idea Committee to develop a strategy to feed more hungry people. The new mobile pantry truck will do just that, and will overcome the transportation barrier that many low income families face by bringing food to pockets of poverty in our community,” said Ann Bax, UWCEMO President.

 

See below for the full media release regarding the new mobile pantry truck.

 

(Jefferson City, MO, December 14, 2016) The United Way of Central Missouri, the United Way of Central Missouri Foundation, and their partner agency The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri announced an exciting new initiative to feed more hungry people at a Ribbon Cutting/Press Conference held in conjunction with The Food Bank’s One-for-One Holiday Food Drive on Wednesday morning, December 14, at the K-Mart parking lot.  The United Way of Central Missouri Foundation provided the financial support to purchase this mobile pantry truck and the United Way of Central Missouri will gift this new mobile pantry truck to The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri to bring food to pockets of poverty in our community which will overcome the transportation barrier that many low income families face. 

“In 2015, The United Way of Central Missouri formed the Bold Idea Subcommittee after The Food Bank approached the United Way to ask for help to look for strategies to address the disparity between the level of poverty in Cole County and the food being distributed,” said Ann Bax. “Based on the number of people in poverty and pounds of food distributed, Cole County had been experiencing a 1 million pound shortfall.  The existing food pantries in Cole County do an incredible job feeding hungry people in our community; we are so proud of the work they do and their tireless efforts to address hunger in Cole County.  Given the local food pantries are at capacity, the committee was formed to brainstorm additional ways to meet the hunger need in our community.  It is thanks to the passion and tireless efforts of many volunteers and businesses that this Bold Idea came into fruition, including the Bold Idea Subcommittee, United Way of Central Missouri Foundation Board, the United Way of Central Missouri Board, The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, Luetkemeyer Signs, and Scheppers International Truck Center.”

“This mobile pantry will allow us to distribute even more food to residents living in need in Cole County. We are so appreciative of the United Way of Central Missouri and the United Way of Central Missouri Foundation for the truck and for all of the support they give us throughout the year. They are true partners in our mission to share food and bring hope,” said Lindsay Young Lopez, Executive Director of The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri.

“Together, we LIVE UNITED against hunger and food insecurity for our neighbors, families, and friends in need.  Thank you to our community for making this possible so we can continue to provide hope for a better tomorrow,” said Bax.

The new Mobile Pantry Food Truck will begin serving food in 2017. Stay tuned on the United Way website for the full schedule. To receive food from the Mobile Pantry Food Truck, other mobile trucks, and pantries; the following are required: photo ID, social security card for each member of the household, and proof of address (such as a piece of mail).  Approximately 4-8 volunteers are needed to work each pantry location, and the United Way encourages organizations interested in volunteering to contact the United Way of Central Missouri at 573-636-4100 or to complete a volunteer form on the website. 

                                   

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About United Way of Central Missouri

With 400+ volunteers and more than $1.921 million raised in 2016, United Way of Central Missouri and its 28 partner agencies touch more than 88,900 lives in our community, helping people live their best possible lives. We provide services in seven counties in Central Missouri; including Camden, Cole, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, and southern Callaway; to create community solutions that improve life for our families, friends, and neighbors. Since our inception in 1925, United Way of Central Missouri has partnered with local businesses and organizations to remain a vibrant resource in our community.  For more information about United Way of Central Missouri, please visit UnitedWaycemo.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@UnitedWayCeMo).

Media Contact

Amber Gibler
amber.gibler@unitedwaycemo.org
(573) 636-4100