ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Area Foodbank is giving back to local veterans at a time when many are struggling with finding their next meal.
The latest study from the Military Family Advisory Network finds, one in five military and veteran families experienced food insecurity in 2023. In 2019, that number was one in eight families.
The same recent study shows that number is one in four for active duty military families in 2023. For reference, one in eight U.S. households are experiencing food insecurity according to latest data.
Monday, the St. Louis Area Foodbank is distributing free, healthy meals and personal care products at two locations for Veterans Day.
Here’s where you go to get the meals:
From 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., meals will be distributed at First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville. The church is located at 1303 Royal Heights Rd. Belleville, IL, 62223.
Later in the day, folks in St. Louis can get meals from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Starr Parking Lot located at 611 South 8th St. St. Louis, MO, 63102.
This distribution is only for local veterans, active military members and their families.
So, bring your military ID, Veteran ID, or other valid documentation to show you’ve served.
Our 5 On Your Side crew went to the St. Louis Area Foodbank as volunteers packed the meals for the Veterans Day distribution.
We're told the goal is to give out 400 meals, 200 at each location.
The Foodbank's President and CEO Meredith Knopp told our crew she's seen more metro-area families in need of food support over the past few years.
"We're seeing more families coming to us because of inflation," she said. "I met with our director of product sourcing this weekend and he said just in the past two weeks, the price of eggs for us to purchase has doubled. The prices are still high and that's tough for all of us, but especially for those living on a fixed income."
Knopp is a veteran herself, and Monday's meal mission is a personal one for her.
"These are men and women who have volunteered to put their lives on the line for our nation and they should not have to suffer in silence for something as basic as food." Knopp said. "We're going to have eggs, cheese, butter... dry goods, toiletries-- you name it. We want to stock up their pantries to say thank you this Veterans Day."
This meal distribution is part of the Feeding America & Raytheon Technologies Military Hunger Advocacy Grant, which provides food for veterans and raises awareness on the issue of military hunger."
For more information about the St. Louis Area Foodbank's upcoming food distributions events, visit https://stlfoodbank.org/, or go directly to their distribution calendar at https://stlfoodbank.org/find-food/food-distribution-events/.