SEMO Food Bank campaign raises $80,000 for summer meals

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

SIKESTON, Mo., (KBSI) — Southeast Missouri Food Bank raised more than $80,000 through its Summer Meals for Kids campaign, surpassing its goal and providing more than 320,000 meals to children and families.

The campaign initially aimed to provide 200,000 meals for families whose children lose access to school breakfast and lunch programs during summer break.

“Every donation, every partnership and every act of generosity helped ensure more families had food on the table this summer,” said Clay Schermann, the food bank’s chief development officer.

The food bank said more than 20,000 children in Southeast Missouri experienced food insecurity in 2024, an increase from about 18,000 the previous year.

During the summer, the organization conducted or scheduled more than 60 mobile food distributions. Those included 15 A Better Childhood mobile pantries serving families with school-age children.

Customers at Harps Food Stores also purchased 294 Summer Blessing Bags containing food for children. The bags were distributed through food pantries in the communities where the donations were collected.

Southeast Missouri Food Bank serves 16 counties through 140 partner agencies and direct-service programs. More information is available at semofoodbank.org.