They came in a steady stream, ranging from sedans carrying only a driver to vans with more than one family represented inside. Each vehicle answered a few simple questions. Then, members of the Missouri National Guard and community volunteers loaded boxes, bags and produce into the trunk or back seat. The process took no more than minutes, but people facing food insecurity drove away with needed supplies.
Many families in our community face new uncertainty due to the COVID-19 crisis. To help them meet challenges like losses in income and school closures, The Food Bank added a new, temporary service — Fresh Mobiles.
Similar to The Food Bank's monthly Mobile Pantries, Fresh Mobiles are a refrigerated truck that directly distributes food to an area in need of more resources. Running from March to May, they provided fresh food, frozen meats and other essentials using a drive-thru method. People were able to stay in their vehicles while volunteers loaded the supplies to limit contact.
At a few Fresh Mobiles, volunteers offered bouquets of fresh flowers donated after Mother's Day. The small gesture drew smiles, serving as a bright moment during difficult times.
In total, 15 Fresh Mobiles distributed over 55,000 pounds of supplies, and more than 1,000 households consisting of 3,500 individuals safely received nutritious food. This service was in addition to The Food Bank's regular resources, which serve an average of 100,000 people monthly.
To make Fresh Mobiles possible, the Missouri Foundation for Health awarded a grant, the Missouri National Guard and community volunteers served as a workforce, and local organizations provided the locations. The Food Bank is incredibly thankful to each of these partners for stepping up to help feed Missourians.