Going Public: Heather Collier with Southeast MO Food Bank Talks About 2025 Annual Report and Community Impact

In 2025, the Southeast Missouri Food Bank faced unique challenges, including tornadoes and a government shutdown affecting SNAP. They distributed over 14 million pounds of food, equating to 12.3 million meals, and served an average of 80,000 individuals monthly. Despite a 30% increase in their food budget for 2026, they received 664,000 fewer pounds from the USDA's TEFAP program. The food bank operates 300 mobile food pantries annually, each serving 200 families, and relies heavily on 4,500 volunteers. They also source produce from local farmers and retail rescue programs. The food bank encourages volunteering, donations, and social media sharing to support their efforts.