Sikeston food bank helps students defeat hunger during summer months

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is providing an online interactive map and text number to help families locate summer food service program sites around the state.

“It’s food and security,” said Nancy Glover, director of Dining Services for Fresh Ideas Food Services. “It’s good meals, we provide a hot meal most of the time.”

The goal of the summer food service program is to feed children living in eligible areas during the summer or during public emergencies when children do not have access to food at school.

“And it gives us an opportunity for a month at least in the summer time to extend what we provide for them,” said Glover.

Also in Sikeston, Greenway Equipment Inc. launched a fundraising campaign for local food banks in partnership with country music star Jason Aldean.

“This program supports 1200 students and 36 school districts in southeast Missouri,” said Joey Keys, CEO of the SEMO Food Bank.

The funds raised will be donated to combat food insecurity for children in Arkansas and Missouri.

“This is making sure students, it’s supplemental food families can provide food for the weekends and that students are fed in southeast Missouri,” said Keys.

The funds raised will go toward supporting the backpack programs for the Southeast Missouri Food Bank in Sikeston and other regions.

According to FeedingAmerica.org, one in five children in Arkansas and one in seven children in Missouri struggle with hunger.

“It really just helps kids have easy to open, ready to eat food, just the really nutritional needs it takes to thrive,” Keys added.