Your Support Made a Critical Difference During the Shutdown
The recent federal government shutdown and SNAP benefit freeze disrupted essential nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC, leaving millions of Missouri and Illinois families without the benefits they rely on to buy groceries and feed their children. Food pantries across our region reported up to a 50% increase in demand—and the need is still high even though the shutdown has ended.
Operation Food Search mobilized quickly to meet this surge. With the support of our donors, volunteers, and community partners, we purchased more than $50,000 in food each week to supplement donated items, expanded our MetroMarket mobile grocery store with $15 vouchers for SNAP recipients, and increased the number of Operation Backpack bags distributed to students through The Little Bit Foundation from 1,600 to 2,400 for November and December.
We also partnered with Soulcial Kitchen to provide 400 grocery bags to military and civilian families serving at Scott Air Force Base. Together with Schnucks, we ensured 1,200 families received full Thanksgiving meals and provided 320 turkeys for distribution through our pantry partner Soup-n-Share in Madison, Illinois.
The outpouring of community support during this challenging time reminds us of what’s possible when we work together. To everyone who donated, volunteered, or helped spread the word—thank you. You made it possible for families across the region to find comfort, nourishment, and hope when they needed it most.
How You Can Help Now
Even though the shutdown has ended, many households are still trying to recover from lost income and reduced benefits. Now more than ever, we need your help to make sure no one in our community goes hungry. Your gift today helps us keep shelves stocked, fuel programs like MetroMarket and Operation Backpack, and provide nutritious meals to families all year long.
Ways to Support Our Mission to Heal Hunger
With your help, Operation Food Search will continue to nourish our community—today and every day—until everyone has enough to eat.
Donate Money: Make a gift of any size to help us purchase and distribute food where it’s needed most. Donate here.
**Special donation opportunity: Help the mothers and babies we serve by donating formula and baby food via our Amazon Wishlist!
Double Your Impact: Many employers match charitable gifts—check to see if yours does. Check matching gifts.
Fundraise: Build-A-Benefit by hosting your own fundraiser to rally your friends, coworkers, or faith community to contribute funds to this urgent cause.
Collect Food: A food drive held on your block or at your school or office can provide crucial shelf-stable items for families facing hunger. Download list of most-needed items here. Learn more about hosting a drive here.
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