Beyond the Shutdown: Get Help and Give Back with the St. Louis Area Foodbank

Beyond the Shutdown: Get Help and Give Back with the St. Louis Area Foodbank
Meredith Knopp

November is here, and this year, it brings a few changes that, unlike the beautiful changing of the leaves, are not as ideal to witness. The good news is that the St. Louis Area Foodbank is ready to help — and will do so for as long as possible.

We have learned a lot over the past 50 years, and this is not the first “crisis” that we have faced. From floods and tornadoes to government shutdowns and COVID-19, we have experienced change and stress. Although it has been clunky at times, the good news is that we have weathered every one of these situations, and we will make it through this one, too.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please direct them to our government shutdown microsite at www.stlfoodbank.org/gov, and especially to our “Find Food” page, so they can find food and get it TODAY: https://stlfoodbank.org/find-food/

Our goal at the St. Louis Area Foodbank is to remain the trusted source for information and support. We strive to provide food and hope to families in need, for as long as they need it. We cannot wave a magic wand and fill every gap that exists right now – no one could – but we also know that when we collaborate and come together as a community, we can make things easier, one family at a time.

Here are just a few examples of ways that you can help us help others:

• Community Food Drive: On Saturday November 8 we ask you to join us at The District STL in Chesterfield from 9am – 2pm for a drive-thru food drive collecting non-perishable food and personal care items. 
• Amazon Wish List. Many people love to shop on Amazon, so while you are there buying what you need, why not make an additional purchase to support the St. Louis Area Foodbank? For a full list of our most needed items, please click here: https://a.co/abYqC0N
• Instacart Shopping Opportunity: For those who use Instacart for purchasing groceries, you can purchase items that will be delivered directly to the St. Louis Area Foodbank to help stock our shelves. Instacart will waive service and delivery fees. To learn more. Access “Community Carts” through the Instacart app, or visit: http://instacart.com/store/hub/community_carts

We are also truly grateful to the many restaurants and small businesses, such as Steve’s Hot Dogs and the Ozzie Smith Center for jumping in to help raise funds at their locations to support families impacted by the government shutdown.

Nobody knows how long this current situation will last, but we know that the St. Louis Area Foodbank has been serving, supporting, and strengthening our community for the past 50 years — and will continue to do so for the next 50 years.

For those impacted – we see you. Please do not suffer in silence – we are here to help.

For those who have NOT been impacted and can help – we thank you – and we are grateful.

As we always say – Hunger Can Affect Anyone, but Anyone Can Affect Hunger.