Southeast Missouri Food Bank unveils its new distribution center

Karen Green, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Food Bank, addresses the crowd at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Southeast Missouri Food Bank facility located in Miner. (David Jenkins photo)

SIKESTON -- The Southeast Missouri Food Bank has officially returned home to Sikeston.

On Friday the 64,000-square foot distribution center was unveiled during an open house that celebrated the completed renovations to the facility and its relocation to Sikeston.

"A blessing is defined as a sovereign act of God by which he causes someone or something to supernaturally produce more than would be naturally possible," Karen Green, executive director of the Food Bank, told the crowd gathered for the occasion. "That's the only word that really seems appropriate for me to use today -- the word blessing."

Green said it's the only explanation she had for all the events that had to unfold to make this day possible.

"From the generous, caring hearts of those who gave us financial support to the working hands that helped build the food bank, to my board of directors that helped share my vision to fund a place for SEMO food bank to find a place to call home, to my food bank staff that served the organization in less than pristine conditions for years, waiting for this miracle to occur, I say thank you," Green said.

The move provides the Food Bank the necessary room to expand hunger relief services and help the 62,000 people suffering from hunger and living in a 16-county service area surrounding Sikeston.

"It's exciting because we're going to have the space to meet the growing need in our region," Green said.

For the complete story, see the Sunday edition of the Standard Democrat.