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 was to harvest fresh fruits and vegetables and donate the bounty to The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri. Student volunteers served to maintain the garden and enjoy the satisfaction of purposeful work.
By 2009, the garden’s potential had outgrown its initial framework, prompting an invitation to the Newman Center to join the effort. Together, these faith communities expanded the vision, officially transforming the plot into the Interfaith Garden – a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing
complex social and economic challenges.
The Interfaith Garden thrives on the generosity of many hands. Volunteers come from diverse walks of life – scout troops, college students, schoolchildren, church congregants, synagogue members and anyone drawn to the idea of helping others while stewarding the earth.
The garden’s membership in the Community Garden Coalition has been significant, providing essential resources like fencing and raised beds. Grants from Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri have further boosted the garden’s success by funding equipment upgrades and more. These partnerships help reinforce the garden’s identity as a true community endeavor, supported by a collective drive to make a difference for others.
And many hands lead to plentiful harvests. The Interfaith Garden’s very first harvest yielded about 300 pounds of vegetables. Over the years, experience and an increase in volunteers have allowed the garden to achieve an average annual yield of 1,700 pounds.
From tomatoes and peppers to strawberries, sweet potatoes, radishes, okra and more - the wide variety
of crops grown reflects the garden’s coordinators' and volunteers' ambition and care. Garden Coordinator Susan DeMian says that future harvests will see more fruit, too; the garden's orchard is just beginning to
produce persimmons, apples and chestnuts.
The Interfaith Garden also fosters connections beyond its crops. Relationships grow among volunteers, faith groups and the community overall through their shared sense of unity.
In a world often divided by differences, the Interfaith Garden is a reminder of what is possible when we
come together. Here, the act of planting a seed becomes an act of hope and harmony. With every passing year, the garden fulfills its mission to feed the hungry, nurture the earth and bring a community closer together.
If you’re interested in sharing the bounty from your garden with neighbors, learn more about our Garden Giving Program at sharefoodbringhope.org/volunteer/garden-giving.
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 struggle for many locals is less visible. The area's rising cost of living has made it even more difficult for some residents to make ends meet. In fact, Camden County, along with neighboring Benton and Morgan Counties, has more food insecure residents than Missouri's average rate of 15%.*
Although food insecurity is keeping pace at a concerning rate in Camden County, it has been a persistent issue for decades. Recognizing this about 14 years ago, local leaders in Camden County joined with The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri to take action against hunger and support their neighbors.
The Camden Mobile Market was originally the brainchild of The Food Bank which piloted the Mobile Market program throughout Central and Northeast Missouri in 2004. The Mobile Market program's purpose is to give food access to neighbors, at no cost, who may live in an area without accessible brick-and-mortar pantries, or areas where the amount of need is higher than local brick-and-mortar pantries can provide.
Turning this from an idea into the solidified program it is today requires more than The Food Bank’s trucks, drivers, and food supply. Mobile Markets require the dedicated partnership of many volunteer members and volunteer groups, whose compassion and commitment to helping those facing hunger would stay steadfast month to month, throughout the changing seasons.
Today, Anita Fleis serves at the heart of this team and has been leading volunteer efforts for this Mobile Market for over a decade. She was brought into this effort, alongside her husband, by the late Bill Fleis, who originally partnered with The Food Bank to pilot the Camden County Mobile Market in Camdenton.
The Camden County Mobile Market initially began operating near Camden County transitional housing on Highway 5, before eventually relocating to its current location at The Church at Osage Hills.
The move was inspired by the challenges Anita and other leaders saw volunteers facing.
“There are a lot of the volunteers who are retired, and carrying big boxes of food to a car was pretty taxing. So… We started chatting with the church in Osage Hills about moving it to their parking lot… and we successfully moved it there,” Anita says.
The Camden County Mobile Market at The Church at Osage Hills is a unique mobile distribution, compared to others hosted by The Food Bank, as they have adopted their own model to efficiently share food with neighbors who visit.
The Church at Osage Hills purchased and stores shopping carts near the parking lot, to then which volunteers are able to fill each cart based on household size, and then bring the cart to a designated vehicle to load food items into the car. This method has served them well, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This seems to be working efficiently, and we still can have the fellowship, and people could feel served, and we didn't have to worry about who was getting out of their cars and who wasn't…” Anita says of their low-contact distribution model.
This model has also helped them serve households equitably and efficiently while keeping up with high need. On average, the Camden County Mobile Market distribution serves over 400 individuals per month.
“We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I’m honored to serve our community in this way,” says lead volunteer and Church of the Osage Hills Children‘s Pastor, LaDonna Beckmeyer.
At its core, this effort is rooted in a long-standing tradition of compassion from individuals who are deeply committed to supporting those facing hunger in their community. Though the need in this area is great, The Food Bank is able to fulfill its mission thanks to the tireless dedication of volunteers who make this work possible—month after month, year after year, through every season and every challenge.
The Camden County Mobile Market holds particular significance for Anita, who continues this work in honor of her late husband. “It’s very much a passion of mine. It was an even larger passion for my husband, whom I lost to leukemia seven and a half years ago. My hope is that it always continues on,” she shares.
The Food Bank is immensely grateful for the ongoing commitment of remarkable volunteers like Anita and her fellow team members, whose collective efforts make this work possible.
*Feeding America’s 2022 Map the Meal Gap Study
The Food Bank is grateful for members of our incredible community who offer meaningful gifts through monetary donations as well as those who give valuable resources through direct, impactful food donations.
Among these generous supporters are David and Deborah Wehrman, who spent many years on their farm near Centralia, Missouri, tending to their beloved pet cow, Nutmeg. Nutmeg was one of several "Spice Girls," cows within their gentle herd all lovingly named and cared for by the Wehrmans. Each of the Spice Girls helped provide companionship, comfort and a sense of peace to the Wehrman home.
Deborah says that Nutmeg “... lived ‘the life of Nutmeg,’ stress-free and in harmony with others on our farm in rural Audrain County. Her purpose was to keep our pastures trimmed and bring ‘farm life’ to our place.”
As Nutmeg aged, David and Deborah accepted that her life couldn’t be sustained much longer. Having lost several of their other pet cows on their farm in years prior, David wanted to proactively consider ways to use Nutmeg’s passing to make a difference.
“... I don't know that God made cows just to die and bury. So… I thought, well, we ought to get some kind of use out of her. There's a lot of hungry people,” David says.
David heard from others near their farm that Mizzou Meat Market, operated through the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, was a USDA-certified meat processor. This certification is a requirement for selling and formally distributing meat. After connecting with both Mizzou Meat Market and The Food Bank, the Wehrmans agreed that they wanted to use Nutmeg’s life to help bring grass-fed, antibiotic-free ground beef to those facing hunger in our local communities.
Now, the Wehrmans are able to look back with gratitude on the time they spent with Nutmeg, while also having the assurance that her life has created a legacy of hope by bringing nutritious and valuable protein to those facing hunger. David also states that they plan to make similar donations to The Food Bank in the future.
“Now, [Nutmeg] can serve others,” Deborah says.
As the Spirit Director and Head Cheer Coach of Columbia College Spirit Programs, Danniele Liles is dedicated to fostering excellence in her students—not only as athletes but also as individuals with service-based values.
Four years ago, under her leadership, the Columbia College Cheer and Dance teams began volunteering in The Food Bank’s Volunteer Room, where they help repackage food for distribution. This initiative aligns with their participation in the NAIA Champions of Character program, which focuses on core values such as Servant Leadership.
For Coach Liles, The Food Bank provided an opportunity to bring this principle to life, allowing her athletes to make a tangible difference in their community while adopting the spirit of servant leadership.
“I know what an incredibly important resource this organization is to so many people in the community, and anything we can do as a program to contribute to the good work going on is a win in my book,” says Coach Liles.
The convenience of The Food Bank's self-scheduling system has been an added benefit for the Columbia College Cheer and Dance teams as well. As the teams have grown in size, online scheduling has allowed them to maintain their volunteer efforts despite their busy calendars and even expand the time team members spend in the Volunteer Room.
“I work most nights, so I'm usually unable to attend The Food Bank with the rest of my team. Since I often go by myself, I’ll invite a friend to come with me,” says Annie Lemerande, a senior on the Columbia College Dance Team.
Annie adds that while her friends might not always be enthusiastic about volunteering at first, they consistently leave loving the experience and often return later.
“The other volunteers are always extremely kind and welcoming, and I always leave feeling like I’ve made 10 new friends!” Annie says.
For Coach Liles, having her team members volunteer at The Food Bank creates a meaningful connection to her own service journey.
“I started volunteering at The Food Bank as a college student here at Columbia College, and it's really special to see my students enjoy the experience as much as I did. Hopefully, we can continue to spread the message that volunteering is not only good for your community but good for you too,” she says.
The Food Bank is incredibly grateful to Coach Liles and every Columbia College Cheer and Dance team member for giving their time to help neighbors in our local communities who are facing hunger. Together, we’re creating an impact that lasts generations!
Across Missouri, thousands of children and their families lack access to a reliable, nutrient-rich diet, but The Food Bank's School Market program is adapting to serve this need in new ways that meet neighbors where they are.
According to the most recent Feeding America data, food insecurity is a reality for more than 44 million children and adults across the country. In The Food Bank’s 32-county service area, one in six children experienced food insecurity in 2022. Based on local data, that number is
still increasing.
Both short- and long-term food insecurity have an impact that extends far beyond hunger alone. Without a proper diet, kids and families can experience health challenges and more. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes children experiencing food insecurity may
be at risk of obesity and developmental issues.
Several state and federal relief programs address childhood food insecurity, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Another crucial role the government plays in curbing child hunger is the National School Lunch Program, providing children from low-income families with free or reduced-price meals.
While these programs can provide needed hunger relief to many children, some families don't qualify but still face financial challenges. For others who do qualify, they may not be enough. That’s where The Food Bank steps in.
The Food Bank offers two programs that are specific to children. The Buddy Pack program started in 2005, serving pre-packed, single-sized portions to help keep children fed over the weekend.
School Markets take a different approach. Rather than providing single-servings that support one student, School Markets offer larger packages of food that can serve a child and their family — including younger siblings who may not yet be in school — with items needed for family-style meals. Importantly, School Markets allow students and families to select the foods they want to take home, offering the dignity of choice. In general, the School Market Program provides diversity in meals, long-lasting ingredients and the security of knowing there’s food in the home for parents and siblings. That can result in healthier (and often happier) families.
Recently, more schools are seeing immense benefits after partnering with The Food Bank to implement a School Market. This fall, Columbia Public Schools in Boone County implemented School Markets districtwide. This marked a major change for the district. Although some schools already had a School Market, many transitioned away from Buddy Packs to adopt the more choice-friendly School Markets right in their facility.
Much like our broader service area, in Boone County, an estimated one in six children experience food insecurity. This means, for hundreds of kids in the school district, their school helps provide an important source of enriching food.
Dana Carter, home school communicator for Hickman High School, coordinates the School Market at Hickman. For Carter, an important aspect of managing Hickman’s School Market is sensitivity for students who use this resource. “When you come in here, it's just [the student]
and I,” Carter said. “It's confidential and discreet and I try to explain that to the parents."
Hickman is one of over two dozen schools in the district, serving a portion of the 19,000 students in CPS. While some schools in the district are just getting their program started, Hickman’s partnership with The Food Bank began several years ago. Since then, Carter has seen the
positive impacts of the program.
“It makes me so happy to provide these resources within our building. I love seeing [students’] faces light up,” Carter said. “Every chance I get to push this out for families to use, I do.”
Hunger doesn't happen in a bubble, and when families are fed, children can go about the important business of learning, playing and growing without anxiety about their next meal. We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about how School Markets are proving to be an efficient and effective way to feed students and families across our service area
During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri and others in the charitable food sector adapted to a quickly changing food supply so we could maintain our mission. Four years later, we are still recovering from those challenges, but we are also taking the lessons we learned to a new landscape.The difficulties that the charitable food sector faces are as significant as they were during the pandemic — they are just different. Across the United States, food insecurity is increasing. Data from Feeding America estimates that there were 44 million food insecure people in the United States in 2022. That’s 14% (or 6 million) more people than during the pandemic. In Missouri, 1 in 7 people — and 1 in 5 children — were food insecure in 2022. Based on recent local data, that number is even higher now.
At the same time, the food sources that food banks have traditionally been able to rely on are no longer as available as they once were. Manufacturers are now able to forecast demand more accurately, meaning lower production that leads to fewer bulk donations for the charitable food sector. While our food bank and others do purchase items to share as well, our organization is spending three times more on food and transportation than we did pre-pandemic.Serving more people with less food is daunting, but food banks across the country are implementing new and creative ways to get food to neighbors and improve long-term food security in our communities. At the moment, we’re evaluating strategies in our service area and making sure we right-size distribution in each community based on a number of factors, like Feeding America national data, local data shared by agency partners and more.
To make sure we are able to meet the need, you may see us refine how we distribute food. That could include helping transition some mobile distributions into more permanent brick-and-mortar locations that can better serve the nutritional needs of communities, or it could be serving entire families through a School Market location to make food more accessible in a trusted and familiar space.
It will certainly mean continuing our work to connect neighbors to other food resources so they can focus on necessities like housing and medical care. For example, our SNAP Application Assistance Program provides one-on-one assistance to help eligible neighbors get enrolled in SNAP benefits, also known as Food Stamps. This support can significantly supplement food budgets for individuals and families in need without requiring direct food distribution.
We’ll also keep connecting partner agencies with resources in their area that may be able to provide wraparound services. Partnerships like the one The Food Bank has forged with Anthem provide the opportunity for those seeking food assistance to address other challenges more easily, which can provide the help neighbors need to build a foundation for food security.
Being good stewards of our resources is incredibly important to The Food Bank team — and we know it’s important to you too. That’s why we want to thank you for your investment in our mission to feed neighbors, and for your help as we weather difficulties now and into the future. Together, we can share food and bring hope even in the most challenging of times.