These two organizations solicit businesses to donate food to the food pantries. Operation Food Search assigns to us different stores from which to pick up usable food that cannot be sold. We pick up from grocery stores, bakeries, and catering companies. We receive day old bread and bakery goods, produce and fruit, and some prepared food. At the St. Louis Area Food Bank we can buy food for ten cents per pound, which pays for the shipping and storage costs.
Different items are available each week.
Since our canned goods come mostly from churches, schools, and organizations, we buy hamburger or chicken to supplement what we put in food orders. Both the St. Louis Area Food Bank and Operation Food Search have told us that we are their largest customer. Over 125 churches in the Partnership sponsor food drives to benefit the food pantries throughout the area. This has helped us keep canned goods on hand through the long dry spell of summer. We also try to provide personal care supplies.