HANNIBAL, MO — The Riedel Foundation has approved a $15,000 grant to The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri to support food distribution efforts serving thousands of residents in the Hannibal area. The funding will help ensure that local families, seniors, veterans, and children have reliable access to nutritious food during a time of rising need.
The Food Bank partners locally with The Salvation Army, Douglass Community Services, and Harvest Outreach to stock the three food pantries that serve Hannibal. In addition to the pantries, the organizations also have food programs that specifically serve vulnerable seniors, veterans, and children. Last year, more than 4,700 people relied on food from those pantries. The Riedel Foundation grant will provide approximately 45,000 meals.
“Today’s economy makes food insecurity a daily reality for far too many Hannibal residents,” said Riedel Foundation Administrator Sarah Deien. “When the trustees look at the needs for our area, it comes back to the basic necessity of food for the hungry.”
According to The Food Bank data, one in five children in Hannibal lacks consistent access to the basic nutrition needed to grow, learn, and thrive. With two-thirds of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, even moderate income families can find themselves in a situation where they need help.
“Food insecurity is often a transient state that accompanies unforeseen life events,” said Kate Pankey, Director of Foundation Relations and Grants with The Food Bank.
When looking at recent survey results from Marion County pantry patrons:
- 87 percent say that they worry about food running out before they can buy more
- 91 percent say the food they buy just doesn’t last and they don’t have money to buy more
- 64 percent say there was a time in the last 12 months when they could not pay for basic needs like rent
Through its association with Feeding America, The Food Bank works directly with manufacturers, wholesalers, processors, growers, retailers, restaurants, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to secure donations and food at low cost. Food is ordered and shipped in bulk for portioning and repackaging. The Food Bank warehouse in Columbia cycles through about 2 million pounds of food each month which is distributed across 32 counties. Marion County receives an average of 70,000 pounds of food each month.
The Riedel Foundation has awarded The Food Bank nearly $45,000 in the last three years. Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation has awarded approximately $7.5 million dollars in grants to benefit Hannibal residents.