Southeast Missouri Food Bank

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.

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.

With details about food assistance being quickly changing and uncertain in recent months, attention turns to non-profits as they endeavor to keep people well-fed. On this episode of Going Public we speak will Heather Collier, the Donor Relations and Communications Manager of Southeast Missouri Food Bank, about what both those in need of food assistance and those considering donating may be wondering.

With details about food assistance being quickly changing and uncertain in recent months, attention turns to non-profits as they endeavor to keep people well-fed. On this episode of Going Public we speak will Heather Collier, the Donor Relations and Communications Manager of Southeast Missouri Food Bank, about what both those in need of food assistance and those considering donating may be wondering.

Now in its second year, the initiative turns every Redhawk blocked shot into meals for neighbors facing hunger. For each block made during the 2025–26 basketball season, Drury Southwest, First State Community Bank, and the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo will donate $10 to the food bank.

Now in its second year, the initiative turns every Redhawk blocked shot into meals for neighbors facing hunger. For each block made during the 2025–26 basketball season, Drury Southwest, First State Community Bank, and the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo will donate $10 to the food bank.

On Monday, October 27, we spoke with Heather Collier, the Donor Relations and Communications Manager, about the upcoming 'Empty Bowls' funding events on Fri. Nov. 7, and the looming Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits cut due to the ongoing federal shutdown.

On Monday, October 27, we spoke with Heather Collier, the Donor Relations and Communications Manager, about the upcoming 'Empty Bowls' funding events on Fri. Nov. 7, and the looming Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits cut due to the ongoing federal shutdown.

In this episode of 'Going Public,' we speak with Heather Collier, the Southeast Missouri Food Bank Donor Relations and Communication Manager, about the upcoming 'Stamp Out Hunger' Food Drive and its impact on the local area.

In this episode of 'Going Public,' we speak with Heather Collier, the Southeast Missouri Food Bank Donor Relations and Communication Manager, about the upcoming 'Stamp Out Hunger' Food Drive and its impact on the local area.