Shop Out Hunger Day on August 16 Provides Community an Opportunity to Fight Food Insecurity in St. Louis Region
Operation Food Search partners with Schnucks, Dierbergs, and Straub’s
for 15th year of collecting much-needed food
August 2025 (St. Louis, MO) — Operation Food Search (OFS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity in the St. Louis region, is hosting their annual Shop Out Hunger Day on Saturday, August 16 at Schnucks, Dierbergs, and Straub’s markets.
This is the 15th year for the event, which hopes to bring in at least 75,000 pounds of donated food. The need for food has increased this year due to inflated food prices and other economic factors and the devastation of the region’s May 16 tornado.
“Shop Out Hunger is always a powerful reminder—not just to Operation Food Search, but more importantly to the people we serve—that our community truly cares about fighting food insecurity,” said Kristen Wild, President and CEO of OFS. “By simply adding a few extra items to their carts while shopping at their favorite grocery store, shoppers can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Shop Out Hunger will kick off with volunteers hosting an active drive on Saturday, August 16 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at stores throughout the region, where shoppers can donate nonperishable items that will restock the shelves of OFS’s distribution center and its 170 community food partner agencies in Missouri and Illinois. Schnucks will continue to accept donations through Sunday, August 24.
“Our grocery store partners, the donors, and our volunteers all come together to make Shop Out Hunger our largest food drive of the year. They allow us to work toward ensuring everyone in our region has access to the nutritious food they need to live healthy lives,” said Wild.
Operation Food Search distributes more than $32 million worth of food and personal items annually.
About Operation Food Search
Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search is a local, independent hunger relief organization that provides food, nutrition education and innovative programs in order to reduce food insecurity and increase equitable access to food. We serve 200,000 people every month through a network of 330 partners in 25 counties in Missouri and Illinois. We use a combination of immediate food assistance and supportive services, while also working on long-term solutions and systemic changes to help solve the problem of hunger. For more information, call (314) 726-5355 or visit www.OperationFoodSearch.org.
Media Contacts:
Lisa Brown | Lisa.Brown@OperationFoodSearch.org | (314) 944-6159
Amanda Galloway | amanda@amandacookpr.com | (314) 598-0544
