Food Bank Stories

Volunteers help get food to Columbia neighbors facing transportation barriers

“It’s a great way to start the day.” Angela and her husband Matt were all smiles after volunteering at The Food Bank Market on a hot morning in July. They spent their morning loading boxes of food into cars. They signed up for a volunteer shift to support our Project DASH Program, an important initiative […]

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Longtime Volunteers Grow Fresh Produce for Schuyler County Food Room

The Schuyler County Food Room sits on North Park Street in Lancaster, Missouri, just south of the Iowa border. It’s one of The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri’s 145 partner agencies. Each month, the Schuyler County Food Room opens its doors to share food with its community. In recent years, the pantry has […]

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Hope for Heroes 5K raises $65,000 to help support veterans

Hundreds of people gathered at Cosmopolitan Park in Columbia in June for The Food Bank's 9th Annual Hope for Heroes 5K. Devin Stevenson was one of more than 250 people who ran or walked. This year marked his second time participating in the Hope for Heroes 5K. He stood out in the crowd of runners, […]

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Columbia Pastor Celebrates 55th Birthday by Filling 55 Volunteer Shifts

A bowling alley, a restaurant, a movie theater, a miniature golf course. These are all places you might consider celebrating turning another year older. Grant Timbrook chose The Food Bank Volunteer Room. Grant, a pastor at Prairie Grove Baptist Church, and dozens of his church members packed The Food Bank’s Volunteer Room across three different […]

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High School Group 'Feeding COMO' Holds Annual Fundraiser

Food insecurity is personal to Mira Tosh, and an issue she has been passionate about for years. “I had a friend in middle school who faced food insecurity and received buddy packs, and I noticed that there was a stigma in middle school,” Mira said. Four years ago, a teacher assigned an optional project to […]

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Volunteer Feature: Battle High School Students Build Skills, Confidence, and Community

Nearly each week, a dedicated group of students led by Sarah Frost from Battle High School (Columbia Public Schools) arrives at The Food Bank Market, ready to help staff serve their neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Their enthusiasm and dedication embody the spirit of service, but for them, this experience is more than just a routine—it’s […]

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Nurturing Hope in Sacred Spaces

At The Food Bank, volunteers play an essential role in our mission. One recent volunteer member, Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver, shared her time at The Food Bank Market and Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen. In a heartfelt post to her Facebook page, Dr. Fishman-Weaver described her experience working with neighbors and fellow volunteers, vividly detailing the […]

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Garden Giving: An Act of Hope

Interfaith Garden tells a story of collaboration, compassion and care. This labor of love was born from a partnership between Congregation Beth Shalom (CBS) and St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish in Columbia. The garden’s initial roots trace back to 2006, when CBS first established the garden as a servicelearning initiative for students. The concept […]

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Camden County Mobile Market Brings Hope to Many

In the Lake Ozark region amidst vast lake shorelines and rolling hills sits Camden County, a resilient community. Like others across the nations, many residents of Camden County experience - or know someone who is experiencing - food insecurity. While Camden County is renowned for its natural beauty, drawing thousands of visitors each summer, the […]

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1

million meals

shared with the help of volunteers in 2025

1

volunteers

served

1

hours

in 2025

Our volunteers make a huge impact!

Volunteers are the foundation of The Food Bank’s work. Thank you to each of you who chooses to serve. Learn more about the scope and scale of our volunteers’ accomplishments in the 2026 Volunteer Report.

Download the report ↗

Health & Safety Precautions

The Food Bank often works with foods that include top allergens, like milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts and more. If you have an allergy concern, please choose a volunteer option that keeps you from interacting with our food items. For example, volunteer at one of our special events. Questions? Contact us.

The Food Bank takes steps to ensure the well-being of staff, volunteers and those we serve. In addition to cleaning and sanitizing procedures, volunteers are asked to complete a health survey before each shift. We will continue to monitor and be responsive to public health guidance related to COVID-19 and any other public health concern, from the annual flu to emerging issues.

Accessibility

The Food Bank is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. We strive to provide volunteer opportunities for all our community members. If you need an accommodation to serve at one of our opportunities, please contact our volunteer team.

Community Service

Any volunteer who must complete community service hours for legal reasons or for school-ordered disciplinary service must contact a member of our staff before signing up to serve. All community service volunteers must complete a screening before hours are credited to you. Contact our volunteer team for details.

A large group of MU students posing with MU Athletic Director Laird Veatch in front of a semi-trailer

October 05, 2026

MU Students Emphasize Variety and Nutrition at Food Drives

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September 30, 2026

Supporting Healthy Habits through Nutrition Education

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A women speaking at a podium to a room filled with people sitting at banquet tables.

September 30, 2026

The Food Bank Network Gathers for Annual Agency Conference

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September 30, 2026

Annual Score Against Hunger Game Raises Thousands to Address Food Insecurity

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Woman loads two barrels filled with food into van

August 25, 2026

Columbia Apartments Participate in Summer Move Out Food Drive

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Two volunteers smiling and posing with a sign telling DoorDash drivers where to park

August 03, 2026

Volunteers help get food to Columbia neighbors facing transportation barriers

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A volunteer sitting and posing with cucumbers at a table

August 03, 2026

Longtime Volunteers Grow Fresh Produce for Schuyler County Food Room

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A group of people running across a finish line

June 17, 2026

Hope for Heroes 5K raises $65,000 to help support veterans

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Nutrition Education Manager John Coleman smiling and holding vegetables growing out of soil

June 11, 2026

Nutrition Education Manager Highlights the Benefits of 'Eating the Rainbow'

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May 20, 2026

Columbia Pastor Celebrates 55th Birthday by Filling 55 Volunteer Shifts