Food drive helps stock school pantries
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The Second Harvest Food Bank asked the community to help fill stomachs and minds Thursday with its Fill the Van food drive outside Sam's Club.
Shoppers at Sam's Club were asked to purchase food to donate to Second Harvest and the numerous food pantries in schools around the community.
"A lot of people don't realize that there's such a need for (food assistance) in the community," James Marmaud, Second Harvest's food sourcing coordinator, said. "Just participating in something like this can help bring awareness. People realize that there are people out there, even your neighbors, that might be suffering from hunger."
Ruthanna Odette, a volunteer for Second Harvest for more than a decade, faced food insecurity throughout her life and said volunteering with the organization is her way of saying thanks. Seeing others donate brought tears to her eyes.
"It makes me want to cry," she said. "That's what it's all about. Because of the times and the economics of everything, it's tough being a senior, it's tough being a young parent, a single parent. So any time where we can help with the food pantries, Backpack Buddies, any of that, I know that the people are giving in St. Joe."
Thursday's donations will go to local elementary, middle and high schools as well as college campuses.
"Campus pantries are very important for the education of our children, too. Full stomach, bright mind," Odette said.
Second Harvest will accept donations of nonperishable foods, canned goods, oatmeal packages, soups and vegetables.
The organization also hosts several mobile food drives at various locations to ensure everyone in Buchanan and surrounding counties is food secure. For upcoming food drives, visit Second Harvest's website at www.shcfb.org.
