A network of 140 partner agencies is at the core of The Food Bank's work. This collection of food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers and others take most of the 30 million pounds of food we provide annually and distribute it to people facing food insecurity. Their ability to serve communities is the same as ours, so The Food Bank is proud to announce it will be investing $179,000 in 20 partner agencies across 13 counties.
The funds, provided through Feeding America, will be used to purchase new equipment, such as industrial freezers and a forklift, and repair old items, like a walk-in cooler. These improvements will enable partner agencies to distribute more food. Freezers and coolers also ensure partner agencies can handle perishable items like produce, meat and dairy.
"We used to fit four pallets; now we can fit probably 10 pallets of produce so we can now accept more produce from The Food Bank," said Amanda Davis, executive director of Open Door in Sedalia. The agency is using grant funding to expand its freezer space.
Partner agencies receiving a grant include Benton County Food Pantry in Benton County; Sturgeon Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and MeMaw's House in Boone County; Holts Summit Food Pantry and Oak Chapel Food Pantry in Callaway County; Chariton County Cupboard and Salisbury Food Pantry in Chariton County; Building Community Bridges and Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri in Cole County; Douglass Community Services in Marion County; Hope House of Miller County; Faith Walk Food & Family Support in Monroe County; Open Door Service Center and Salvation Army - Sedalia in Pettis County; Faith Distribution, Rolla Church of the Nazarene and St. James Caring Center in Phelps County; Center Community Food Pantry in Ralls Count; Sweet Springs Food Pantry in Saline County; and Milan Interfaith Food Pantry in Sullivan County.