JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), in partnership with Feeding Missouri, announced the results of a statewide team member food drive that helped provide critical food assistance to communities across the state during the holiday season.
The Neighbors Helping Neighbors state team member food drive, which was launched at the beginning of November 2025 during the federal government shutdown and continued through the holidays, brought together state team members around a shared mission of supporting Missouri families facing food insecurity during a time of heightened need.
Together, team members donated 7,683 pounds of food and monetary donations, helping provide an estimated 400,000 meals to Missourians through Feeding Missouri’s network of local food banks.
The initiative was made possible through the participation of state agencies across Missouri, reflecting a commitment to serving communities beyond their individual public service roles. Among those contributing, the Children’s Trust Fund provided a significant monetary donation focused on infant formula and baby food, further strengthening the impact of a statewide drive.
“This team member food drive reflects the very best of our state workforce as we united in an effort to help our neighbors when it matters most,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “Team members from across government stepped up during a challenging time, demonstrating compassion, generosity, and a deep commitment to serving our communities.”
The state team member food drive also underscored the strong partnership between DSS and Feeding Missouri, both of which work year-round to strengthen food security and support families across the state.
“At DSS, our mission is to help Missourians live safe, healthy, and productive lives,” said Director Jess Bax, Department of Social Services. “Seeing agencies come together during such a difficult time speaks volumes about our shared values. I’m incredibly proud of our team members for supporting families and individuals who needed it most.”
Feeding Missouri, a coalition of six regional food banks that serve all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis, emphasized the importance of the collaboration and timing of the food drive.
“We are deeply grateful to Missouri’s state team members and to our partners at DSS for answering the Governor’s call to help neighbors during a time of uncertainty,” said Leigh Anne Haun, Executive Director of Feeding Missouri. “The effort strengthened the local food bank network at a moment when communities needed it most, and it shows what’s possible when state leadership and the charitable sector work together to take care of Missouri neighbors.”
Donations collected through the drive were distributed through Feeding Missouri’s network of regional food banks and their more than 1,200 community and faith-based hunger-relief partners, supporting families, seniors, and children throughout the state.
For more information about Feeding Missouri and how to support local food banks, visit Feeding Missouri.org
