A YEAR OF CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE
2025 was a year marked by distinct challenges in our region: devastating storms, rising food prices, and growing uncertainty for families already living on the edge. But, together, we were ready—ready to respond, ready to adapt, and ready to nourish our neighbors when it mattered most.
With our expanded facility, more than four decades of experience healing hunger, and incredible supporters like you, we helped turn a time of dire need into collective action.
The results are inspiring: a community marked by resilience and generosity, sharing a vision of a future free from hunger—all because you stepped up.
SEE OUR 2025 IMPACT:
We heal hunger with innovative and collaborative solutions that provide food today and help create a hunger-free tomorrow. Fueled by our team, community, and partners, here’s a glance at our impact within the 2025 fiscal year:
OUR DEDICATED TEAM
“This year, we’ve seen a significant rise in the need for food across our community. Every day, our team works closely with our network of pantries and partners to help meet that demand and ensure people have access to nourishment. We are deeply grateful for our donors—your generosity truly makes this work possible.”
– Melissa Weissler, MPH, Chief Program Officer
Executive Board
The OFS board is made up of leaders from diverse fields who are dedicated to the work of healing hunger and ensuring that OFS fulfills its mission.
Friends Board
The dynamic young professionals on our Friends Board use their common interest in ending childhood hunger to support our Operation Backpack program.
Our Staff
OFS employees work hard every day to rescue and distribute food, empower the community, and create long-term solutions to the problem of hunger.
When overlapping challenges created unprecedented pressure on families and drove food assistance needs to new levels this past year, Operation Food Search was ready—thanks to decades of partnership, strategic growth, and a commitment to expanding access long before the crisis arrived.
Severe Weather Disruptions
When powerful storms and tornadoes tore through our region in May, homes were damaged and families were displaced. The need for food assistance and basic necessities surged as neighbors worked to recover and rebuild.
Economic Uncertainty
Job instability and the rising cost of living created food insecurity where it hadn’t existed before and deepened the need for those already struggling. Requests for food assistance increased across our network.
Rising Food Prices
Grocery prices increased 25–30% over the last five years due to inflation and supply chain pressures. Individuals and families had to stretch limited budgets even further, making nutritious food harder to afford as the need was increasing.
Powered by Strong Partnerships
With more than 40 years of trusted community relationships and partnerships—and the support of generous donors like you—we were able to respond immediately after the tornado, delivering food and resources where they were needed most.
Prepared through Growth & Expansion
The recent investment in our facility renovation and expanded capacity positioned us to meet rising demand during a time of economic uncertainty, ensuring consistent access to nutritious food without interruption.
Increased Access to Nourishing Food
Support for MetroMarket’s expansion helped OFS increase the number of markets serving communities with limited access to fresh food. When the May tornado struck, MetroMarket quickly shifted into emergency response, providing free food and essential items to affected neighbors.
Reflecting on Our Work
OUR PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
OUR REACH IN FY2025
Supporting Families in
25 COUNTIES & 2 STATES
through Food Distribution & Nutrition Education
14 Missouri Counties
- Cape Girardeau
- Crawford
- Franklin
- Gasconade
- Jefferson
- Lincoln
- Montgomery
- Pike
- St. Charles
- St. Francois
- St. Louis City
- St. Louis County
- Warren
- Washington
11 Illinois Counties
- Alexander
- Bond
- Calhoun
- Clinton
- Jackson
- Macoupin
- Madison
- Monroe
- St. Clair
- Washington
- Wayne
We couldn’t do our work without the support of our volunteers and community partners.
Volunteers
More than 6,583 volunteers contributed their time, saving OFS $1.38 million. Volunteers are critical to our mission— their passion and care for others save us significant financial resources, enabling more of our funding to go directly toward helping people every year.
Partners
OFS works with businesses, local farms, community organizations, educational institutions, health care providers and a broad range of entities who provide resources, expertise and collaboration to support our mission.
OUR EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
OUR GENEROUS DONORS
Every single gift to Operation Food Search is a generous investment in our mission to heal hunger. We are grateful to the individuals, families, businesses and foundations who make our work possible every day.
In Fiscal Year 2025, donors who gave up to $1,000 include 5,621 individuals contributing nearly $900,000 in support of our region.
Use the categories below to explore our Leadership Donors, In-Kind Leadership Donors, Food & Funds Donors and Monthly Donors.
LEADERSHIP DONATIONS
The generosity of these gifts demonstrates a true commitment to healing hunger and empowering children, individuals and families in our region.
The Founders Circle celebrates donors whose lifetime giving reflects an enduring commitment to our mission.
IN-KIND LEADERSHIP DONATIONS
The contribution of these goods and services is vital to our ability to meet the immediate need for food in our region.
FOOD & FUND DRIVES
Thanks to volunteer-led food and fund drives, thousands of pounds of food reached individuals and families in need across our service area.
266,626
Pounds of Food
$182,430
Total Money Donations
$487,926
Total Food Value
$670,356
Total Food & Money
MONTHLY
Known as Hunger Healers, recurring donors are valued advocates who sustain our work while ensuring consistent access to the funds OFS needs to heal hunger. We appreciate this special community of OFS supporters.
FISCAL RESONSIBILITY
Operation Food Search is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that upholds the highest standards of fiscal accountability. We work tirelessly to ensure that donations are used efficiently to maximize benefit to the community we serve.
BY THE NUMBERS IN 2025
Fiscal Year: October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025