Food Bank Holds Drive-Thru Food Distributions To Address Increased Demand Due to Covid-19
Sikeston, MO (March 25, 2020) — Southeast Missouri Food Bank has scheduled another series of Covid-19 Response Mobile food distributions to respond to the increased demand for food following temporary layoffs and school closures due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
The next Covid-19 Response Mobiles will be:
- 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, Church of God, 51 & 72 Junction, Patton
- 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, Bread Shed, 203 North D Street, Poplar Bluff
- 11 a.m. Thursday, April 2, Chaffee Veterans of Foreign Wars, 217 South Frisco, Chaffee
These will be drive-through distributions so people should stay in their vehicle and have a space cleared for a box of food, according to food bank Chief Executive Officer Joey Keys. People who need food assistance should attend the mobile held in the county where they live and should bring a photo ID and piece of mail that shows proof of residence. Patrons should visit only one mobile per month and receive only one box per household.
Those needing food assistance may visit the Pantry Locator page on the website at semofoodbank.org and search by county for the dates and times of operation for the pantry nearest where they live. Other mobile food pantries held in conjunction with partners are also listed on the food bank’s website. Click on Programs and Mobile Food Pantry.
Additional Covid-19 Response Mobile distributions will be scheduled in the food bank’s 16-county service area in the coming weeks. The times, dates and locations will be posted on the food bank’s Facebook page and its website at semofoodbank.org.
Just as regular shoppers have had a hard time finding groceries on the shelf, Southeast Missouri Food Bank is seeing limited supplies of food and increased prices. Retail donations also are down as grocers see increased demand from consumers.
“We’re facing higher prices and limited quantities too, so now more than ever we could use the public’s help,” Keys said. “If someone wants to help with Covid-19 response, one of the best things they can do is donate because we can stretch a dollar to provide four meals.”
Donations can be made online at semofoodbank.org; click on the “Donate” tab.