40,000 pounds of food delivered to SEMO Food Bank for America250 initiative

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SIKESTON, Mo. (FOX23)— A truck carrying 40,000 pounds of food arrived at Southeast Missouri Food Bank on Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, bringing a nationwide effort to fight hunger to families across the region.

The donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is part of the America250 “America Gives” initiative, which includes 250 truckloads of food being delivered to communities across all 50 states in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Launched in November 2025, the initiative is expected to provide millions of meals nationwide by the end of 2026.

For Southeast Missouri Food Bank CEO Joey Keys, receiving a donation of this size is unusual.

“40,000-pound donations do not come often to the food bank,” Keys said. “So we are very excited, especially knowing that it’s quality, shelf-stable food that our families facing hunger need so desperately in Southeast Missouri.”

The truck traveled approximately two days from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Sikeston. However, the work behind the donation began long before the food was loaded for delivery.

Truck driver Jonathan Layton explained that much of the food is produced through the church’s network of farms and canneries, where members volunteer their time to help prepare and package products for distribution.

Among the donated items was powdered milk produced through Deseret Farms, which is part of the church’s agricultural operations.

“If you look on the back of these packages, it says lovingly distributed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Layton said. “To me, that means someone put this together to take care of their fellow man with love for the whole intent of feeding someone not just to make a profit on it.”

For Layton, that message makes the delivery different from simply transporting another shipment of food.

He explained that every package represents time contributed by church members working across farms, canneries and other facilities to help provide food for people they may never meet.

“It’s been put together by volunteers through the farms and the canneries and the volunteer time with the members of the church,” Layton said.

Those volunteer efforts are supported financially through contributions from church members.

RossAnn Schwartz, Southeast Missouri Women’s Organization President with the church, explained that members participate in monthly fast offerings. During that time, members fast and donate the cost of two meals to help the church provide food and other necessities to those in need.

Schwartz said the church has worked with food banks for years, and the America250 initiative creates another opportunity to continue those partnerships.

“We’ve had a partnership with the SEMO food bank for a while, and the church loves to help them,” Schwartz said. “And the America 250 celebration is a great opportunity to come and help again.”

The nationwide donation effort is a collaboration between the church and America250, with support from JustServe, a church-sponsored platform that connects volunteers with service opportunities in their communities.

While Wednesday’s donation is part of a national celebration, the food will be distributed locally.

Keys said the shipment will reach families throughout Southeast Missouri Food Bank’s 16-county service area through partner pantries and mobile food distributions.

Schwartz said the church also plans to continue organizing mobile food pantries in communities including Farmington, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston, helping move food from the food bank to people who need it.

“We can’t reach everybody, and I don’t know everybody who’s in need,” Schwartz said. “But the food bank helps us find those people and get the food to them.”

The church plans to continue donating truckloads of food beyond Wednesday’s delivery, while maintaining its partnership with food banks and local organizations.

As the holiday season approaches, Keys said the food bank is especially looking for shelf-stable donations, although fresh produce and protein are also needed.

Those interested in donating or volunteering can visit Southeast Missouri Food Bank.

Those looking for additional community service opportunities can visit JustServe.org.