SEMO Food Bank launches canned food drive for February

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SIKESTON, Mo., (KBSI) — Southeast Missouri Food Bank is launching its annual “You CAN Fight Hunger” campaign in February, inviting community members to donate canned food during Canned Food Month.

The campaign encourages residents to donate shelf-stable canned items at participating locations across southeast Missouri to help stock local food pantries.

“Canned food donations play an important role in helping our partner pantries meet daily needs,” said Joey Keys, president and CEO of the food bank. “This campaign is an opportunity for our community to help restock pantry shelves with nutritious, shelf-stable items families can take home and use right away.”

The Southeast Missouri Food Bank serves a 16-county region that includes the five most food-insecure counties in Missouri. Officials said hunger affects one in six residents in the region, including one in four children and one in eight seniors. The food bank serves nearly 80,000 people each month through its network of partner agencies.

Organizers said canned vegetables, fruits, soups and proteins such as tuna, chicken and beans are especially helpful because they are easy to store, distribute and use.

Throughout February, canned food donations may be dropped off at participating locations, including businesses, banks, schools and community organizations across the region. A full list of drop-off sites is available through the Southeast Missouri Food Bank.

Community members may also support the campaign by donating online at semofoodbank.org. The food bank said each dollar donated helps provide four meals for people in need.

“We’ve seen time and again how powerful community involvement can be,” Keys said. “Every can collected helps strengthen our local pantry network and brings us one step closer to ending hunger in southeast Missouri.”