How big a problem is hunger in central and northeast Missouri?

There are about 100,000 people living at or below the poverty line in 32 counties in central and northeast Missouri. Nearly 45,000 children qualify for free and reduced lunches and there are only a few summer feeding programs to meet the need when school is out. More than 70% of people receiving assistance ar the working poor. The vast majority don't receive food stamps or governmental assistance. The elderly continue to be the fastest-growing poverty population due to fixed incomes and rising medical expenses.

What's the difference between a Food Bank and a Food Pantry?

A food bank is the wholesaler in the fight against hunger. We gather food in bulk and give it out to food pantries, and other agencies, like soup kitchens, congregate feeding sites and shelters. Both are a vital part of the food chain.

So what are the other links in the chain?

At right, the chain begins at the top when people and companies who have food, donate it to Feeding America, a national organization of 206 food banks, who distributes the food to food banks, who give the food to their agencies, who give it to hungry people.

Who is the Central Missouri Food Bank?

The Central Missouri Food Bank (CMFB) is a regional hunger and disaster relief network that acquires and distributes millions of pounds of donated food each year. We provide free food to hungry Missourians in 32 counties through 145 agencies and 71 schools. In 2008, soup kitchens, emergency food pantries, shelters for the abused and homeless programs for low-income children and senior citizens and rehabilitation centers received nearly 22 million pounds of free food.

Our goal is to bring community resources together to feed people in need.

Who do you serve?

More than 100,000 people who live in central and northeast Missouri live at or below the property level are eligible for the food we distribute. We predominantly serve the working poor and the elderly. A recent survey identified our clients as white, single females, between the ages of 25-50, with one or two children. These women can't receive food stamps and earn less than $950 a month.

So where can I get food? Where are these agencies?

We serve 145 agencies throughout 32 counties. Below are names and phone numbers, by counties.

Click to download a PDF (207K).

Are you a government agency? Who’s responsible?

We’re not affiliated with the government, nor a government agency. Legally, CMFB is a non-profit corporation, who reports to a Board of Directors, who is hold fudiciary responsibility. Day by day, we are responsible to our donors, whose generous gifts of food, in-kind donations and money enable us to continue our mission of feeding the hungry in central and northeast Missouri.

What's the CMFB's history?

The Central Missouri Food Bank (CMFB) began in 1981 as a class project of the Social Work Department of Columbia College, in partnership with the Central Missouri Counties Human Development Corporation and area churches.

In our first 18 months, CMFB distributed 39,000 pounds of donated food through 15 hunger relief agencies. In 2008, 145 agencies and 71 schools throughout 32 counties distributed nearly 22 million pounds food from the Food Bank.

I’d like to see what you do in person. Can you arrange a tour?

Absolutely! We’d be happy to give you or a group the nickel tour. Just call ahead and let us know when you’d like to visit. Often, volunteers like to work a bit and end their stay with a tour. Call 573-474-1020 to volunteer, or presss the “volunteer” button to the left.

I can’t visit but want to hear more. Can someone speak at my organization?

We’d be glad to visit your group as well. Give us a call and give us a week’s notice.

Are you a government agency?

No. The Central Missouri Food Bank is a private non-profit corporation led on a day-to-day basis by an executive director, who reports to a board comprised of local community leaders.

Board of Directors