Operation Food Search is Missouri’s largest independent food bank, providing 200,000 nutritious meals every month across 25 Missouri and Illinois counties.
As a food bank, OFS collects, safely stores, and distributes more than 35 million pounds of food and essentials each year to a network of 330 community partners—including food pantries, shelters, and meal programs—that deliver food directly to individuals and families in need. Food includes fresh produce, dairy, proteins and shelf-stable items. This work is made possible through partnerships with local grocers, food manufacturers, distributors, farms that help us recover, rescue, and share food that might otherwise go to waste.
In addition, OFS receives crucial donations directly from the community through individuals and groups conducting food drives. For some programs, such as those adhering to USDA requirements for child nutrition, we purchase food to fit the needs of specific populations.
Our warehouse and distribution center in St. Louis serves as the hub for our regional food network, where donations are carefully sorted, packed, and delivered to food pantries, shelters, community centers, and schools. By streamlining logistics and emphasizing quality control, OFS ensures that our partner agencies and pantries receive consistent, healthy food that support balanced diets.
Food Bank vs. Food Pantry
A food bank gathers and distributes large quantities of food to community organizations, including pantries.
A food pantry is a community site where families receive food directly.
Together, these partners form the backbone of our region’s hunger-relief network.
Connecting Families to Nutrition Support
Operation Food Search’s mission goes beyond emergency food distribution. We help families access federal nutrition programs and educational resources that build long-term solutions to the problem of hunger:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Guidance and outreach to help eligible families apply and maintain benefits.
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): Support and referrals for pregnant women, infants, and young children to access nutritious food and resources.
- Nutrition Education: Free classes, cooking demonstrations, and grocery store tours that teach families how to prepare healthy meals on a budget.
- Community Partnerships: Collaboration with schools, health systems, and local agencies to ensure families can find support close to home.
Working Toward a Hunger-Free Tomorrow
By combining the reach of a regional food bank with the innovation of a community health organization, Operation Food Search is redefining what hunger relief looks like in Missouri and Illinois. Our work not only feeds families today but also strengthens local food systems, reduces waste, and advocates for policies that make healthy food accessible to everyone.
Together with our partners, donors, and volunteers, we’re creating a future where everyone has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
