Operation Food Search

St. Louis-area food pantries are busy stocking shelves for this summer now that Missourians are receiving smaller unemployment checks.

Schools and nonprofits retooled last spring to keep kids fed during the pandemic lockdown. Easing of social distancing rules this spring means more meals are expected this summer.

At Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish food pantry in Ferguson, volunteers have seen a 25% client increase in recent months, with Blessed Teresa serving about 1,300 people in October alone. That’s in keeping with what food banks and other partners are observing throughout the area, according to Operation Food Search’s director of strategic services, Lucinda Perry. She’s seen about a 40% increase in food insecurity rates amid COVID-19 upheaval. The St. Louis community is stepping up to help, including local farms such as EarthDance.

Federal money meant to help low-income families with food costs while kids were home from school this spring is reaching just 60% of Missouri’s eligible…

Food service employees are among the few workers in school districts physically reporting for work every day during the pandemic lockdowns, joining…

For many area students, the start of summer vacation means an increase in free time and a chance to spend more time with friends. It also means a loss of…

Roughly 850,000 people are facing food insecurity in the state of Missouri alone – and that includes about 220,000 kids.“We estimate roughly one in five…

A local food bank has teamed up with a north St. Louis hospital to offer a “fresh-food prescription” service for low-income, pregnant mothers.Not having…

An after-school meal program in St. Louis county that feeds hungry children in public libraries is expanding.St. Louis County Library and the nonprofit…

During the school year, Stacey Vehlewald’s kids are able to grab bagels in the cafeteria before class, and chow down on chicken nuggets at lunchtime. When…