One for One Holiday Food and Fund Drive returns; The Food Bank still needs volunteers year-round

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri is set to host its 18th annual One for One Holiday Food and Fund Drive on Wednesday. But the 12-hour event is not the only time The Food Bank needs volunteers.

Nearly 12,000 volunteers dedicated over 71,000 hours to serving at The Food Bank in 2023. That allowed The Food Bank to reinvest $2.3 million back into its mission.

The Food Bank often sees volunteer numbers dip in January, but it still needs help just as urgently after the holidays due to high food insecurity rates.

“One in seven Missourians is estimated to be food insecure," said Katie Adkins, spokeswoman for The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri. "So while people don't normally think that they know someone who is facing a problem, we know it's family members, coworkers, friends, neighbors.”

There are various volunteer opportunities available. Volunteers can repackage food at The Food Bank, help out at Mobile Markets and events or serve neighbors directly at The Food Bank Market.

“Volunteering is the backbone of the work at The Food Bank," Adkins said. "It takes a community, and a very dedicated one, to be able to do the work that we do, serving around 100,000 people every single month.”

Bekka Denton is part of that dedicated community. She volunteers throughout the year as part of the Veterans United Experience Team.

“People need other people to support them," Denton said. "And this [volunteering] is just a great way to be able to support people that you don't get to see every day.”

Denton spent the afternoon Monday packing boxes of food for people in need across Mid-Missouri.

“We are wanting to contribute to the community for the holidays," Denton said. "And so we came to help pack boxes for those in need.”

Volunteers packed boxes with non-perishable goods, including cereal, peanut butter, canned vegetables, beans and rice.

“Just all kinds of goodies that will be good staple items for them to have,” Denton said.

Denton said volunteering in this capacity allows her to experience community two-fold. While giving back to the Mid-Missouri community, she also bonds with her team community in a fun and special way.

“It becomes a little bit of a game [packing boxes] where you want to just try to get it done as fast as you can, as much as you can,” Denton said.

She added that it is important to keep that momentum up through the year.

“People don't just need help with the holidays," Denton said. "They need help all year round.”

The One for One Holiday Drive will serve Mid-Missouri at two locations from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. -- the Columbia Mall and Buchheits in Jefferson City. Items gathered in the drive will provide food to families in need during the holiday season and beyond.

Funds raised will also help The Food Bank continue to serve people across a 32-county service area. The Food Bank's purchasing power turns every $25 donated into at least 100 meals.

Firefighters from Columbia Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1055 and Jefferson City Firefighters Local 671 will volunteer during the One for One drive.

People interested in volunteering or donating can visit sharefoodbringhope.org for more information or to sign up.