Local food banks receive part of $5 Million in CARES Act funding released in Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has released $5 million in CARES Act funding to be divided among Missouri’s six regional food banks to help citizens who continue to rely on food assistance.
“Protecting the health and well-being of Missourians is a key component of our Show Me Strong Recovery Plan,” Governor Parson said. “This additional funding for food banks will help ensure continued access to good nutrition for Missouri’s vulnerable citizens during these challenging times.”
The $5 million will be distributed as follows:
- Harvesters Community Food Network - $990,413
- Ozarks Food Harvest - $925,073
- Second Harvest Community Food Bank - $359,288
- Southeast Missouri Food Bank - $504,818
- St. Louis Area Foodbank - $1,462,145
- The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri - $708,263
- Feeding Missouri - $50,000
“Keeping up with the demand on food banks has been an ongoing challenge during COVID-19,” Department of Social Services Acting Director Jennifer Tidball said. “This additional $5 million from the CARES Act provides vital support to those local entities assisting Missouri citizens with food.”
“The pandemic’s impact on Missouri’s food banks has been profound,” said Feeding Missouri Executive Director Scott Baker. “Food is more expensive and harder to acquire, more people need it, and fewer people are available to help distribute it. These additional funds will help us keep up with higher demand and ensure food is available for struggling Missouri families. We are very grateful to Governor Parson and the state of Missouri for recognizing the need and partnering with us to help address the problem.”
The food banks serve the needs of more than 1,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and other meal sites across the state.
