HANNIBAL, Mo. —The Riedel Foundation’s latest grant brings the holidays to mind, with funds going to the Salvation Army to provide Christmas meals to about 800 Hannibal residents. The $15,000 award also helps restock the food pantry in Hannibal.
Christmas food boxes are the biggest food distribution of the year for the Salvation Army in Hannibal. Eligible residents get enough food to provide for breakfast and a traditional Christmas dinner. With the cost of groceries rising, the Salvation Army estimates it costs $33,500 to provide two meals for 800 people on Christmas day.
“Times are tight for a lot of people, but the holidays can really put a strain on a family that’s financially struggling,” said Riedel Foundation Administrator Sarah Deien. “This is just one small way the foundation can help.”
The grant also provides support for the food pantry in Hannibal, which is depleted after the slow summer season.
“With $5,000 from the Riedel Foundation, we can stock our shelves with nutritional items, especially for the elderly and people who have diverse dietary needs because of autoimmune disorders like diabetes,” said Jake Reed, Salvation Army Donor Relations Coordinator.
In 2026, the Riedel Foundation awarded the Salvation Army $15,000 for Christmas boxes and the food pantry, but at the end of the year, trustees awarded another $27,000 to be divided among three Hannibal food pantries to help fight growing food insecurity in the community.