31 local mayors come together for the STL Area Food Bank
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO (KMOV) The COVID-19 pandemic took a major toll on the St. Louis Area Food Bank.
“We saw our numbers skyrocket, said St. Louis Area Food Bank President Meredith Knopp. “We’re talking about an almost 46 percent increase over what we were already doing in terms of distribution. So, it really put a lot of stress and strain on the system, especially when our logistics were disrupted, people didn’t have food to donate the grocery shelves. If you remember, this time last year, a lot of times were bare.”
St. Louis Area Food Bank
A volunteer for the St. Louis Area Food Bank carries fresh produce. Last year, the Food Bank relied on monetary donations when global supply chains caused food shortages. Donations from Give STL Day helped keep the Food Bank open to distribute meals.
When the pandemic first hit St. Louis in 2020, people stormed grocery stores ahead of an anticipated lockdown. Shelves emptied, and the St. Louis Area Food Bank, which normally relied on donations, was in trouble.
“A lot of those areas where we would normally receive food dried up, it just wasn t there,” said Meredith Knopp, president and CEO of the St. Louis Area Food Bank. “And so we really had to shift our model and figure out now how do we raise money to go purchase food.”
Food drop helps hundreds in need this holiday season
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The Least of the Brethren food pantry worked to help the community Friday.
They held a food drop, which provided around $350-$500 worth of food to families in need.
The food was distributed to the pantry by the St. Louis Area Food Bank.
Organizers say this is their way to bless families during the holidays. We are here to feed people until the end, said pantry founder George Culley. A hungry stomach doesn t discriminate. If you re red, white, yellow, black, when you re hungry you re hungry. It doesn t care what your color of skin is.