SEMO Food Bank served nearly 13M meals in 2023

SIKESTON – Southeast Missouri Food Bank served nearly 13 million meals to neighbors facing hunger in 2023, providing food assistance to 80,000 individuals each month.

“We saw an increase in people needing help in 2022 that continued into 2023, with a lot of our neighbors struggling with high food costs,” said Joey Keys, chief executive officer of the food bank. “Thanks to the support of our partners, donors and volunteers, we were able to make sure that everyone in southeast Missouri had access to the food we all need to thrive.”

In 2023, the food bank opened its second location in Cape Girardeau County, increasing storage capacity and volunteer opportunities. The food bank’s newest program is also housed in the Jackson office. The Produce Prescription Program provides participants, who must be referred by a healthcare partner, with fresh produce boxes twice a month.

“We all know the connection between food and health,” Keys said. “The Produce Prescription Program is using food to really address chronic health issues. We’re excited to see this program continue to grow.”

The food bank serves families, children, veterans and seniors through a network of 140 partner agencies and direct service programs in a 16-county service area. Other highlights from 2023 include:  

Providing monthly food boxes to more than 5,500 senior citizens

Partnering with local school districts to provide food for the weekend to 1,200 students 

Distributing more than 2.2 million pounds of fresh produce, donated in part by local farmers and growers 

Holding 316 mobile food distributions, each providing 200 families with nutritious food 

Completing 1,363 SNAP applications to link people to an important resource to obtain food on a regular basis.