Ballard Youth Leadership
Help address hunger in your community while gaining leadership skills!
The Food Bank’s Ballard Youth Leadership Program gives high school students, generally 14-18 years old, an opportunity to become involved in our mission to bring together community resources to feed neighbors in need. Watch for more details on how to apply for the 2027 session!
Eligibility
To be considered for the program, you must be:
- A high school student in central or northeast Missouri who lives or goes to school in The Food Bank’s 32-county service area;
- Able to attend education sessions, in-person volunteer sessions and meetings for special projects in your own community through one semester; and
- Interested in serving as a leader who will address community-wide challenges.
How You’ll Learn and Grow
As a Ballard Youth Leader, you will:
- Attend information and education sessions;
- Volunteer at a local pantry partner or a Mobile Market; and
- Complete a special project with the guidance of The Food Bank staff (examples in the next section).
Special Project
Organize a food and fund drive and engage the community to collect most-needed items for The Food Bank and/or a local pantry as well as raise funds to support the mission of food security.