SEMO Food Bank helped 12.88 million Missourians fight hunger according to 2024 annual report

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – Local food pantries are combatting hunger as high food insecurity rates increase.

The Southeast Missouri Food Bank has released their 2024 annual report and according to the report 12.88 million Missourians received food last year and with rising grocery costs they only expect those numbers to increase. 

These numbers resulting in  14.16 million pounds of food handed out to those facing hunger last year.

Heather Collier is the Donor Relations Manager of the Southeast Missouri Food Bank. She says that inflation and rising food costs are what’s behind more families coming to the food bank. 

“Higher food prices is really what’s driving it” says Collier. “We have seen an increased need going back to 2022 when inflation really started taking off.” 

According to the SEMO Food Bank 2024 annual report staff worked with a grant-funded consultant to develop a three-year plan to keep those they serve in the forefront of food access. 

The food bank serves families, children, veterans and seniors through a network of 140 partner agencies and direct-service programs in a 16-county service area. 

The annual rereport always they held 314 mobile food distributions in 2024, each providing 200 families with food.  

“We feed people that you may not picture, some of your neighbors maybe in our distribution lines, families, seniors, we have programs for children, we have programs for veterans, so were really making sure everyone has the food we all need to thrive and live healthy lives” says Collier.

If you would like to donate to the SEMO Food Bank all proceeds help families and seniors locally.

Southeast Missouri Food Bank Donation

If you would like to find out how you can get help through the SEMO Food Bank you can go to their webpage.

Pantries – Southeast Missouri Food Bank