St. Louis CITY SC and Schnuck Markets Inc. once again are joining forces to fight hunger in the St. Louis region by hosting a food drive.
The organizations will hold a weeklong CITY x Schnucks Food Drive, from Aug. 18-25, benefiting Operation Food Search and held exclusively at Schnucks locations throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. During this time, community members can visit their local Schnucks to donate nonperishable food items to OFS.
The CITY x Schnucks Food Drive is highlighted by a special donation event featuring CITY SC players Chris Durkin, Hosei Kijima and Jake Nerwinski. From 4-5:15 p.m. on Aug. 21 at the Schnucks Des Peres location, participants can drop off their donations, meet the players and get autographs. (Limited to the first 150 people in line. Meet-and-greet line will open at 3 p.m.)
“We have always set out to be an exceptional club and neighbor and are honored to again work alongside our partner Schnucks in combatting food insecurity in our region,” said Diego Gigliani, president and GM, St. Louis CITY SC.
“This food drive will bring together our community to help St. Louisans in need, and we are looking forward to continue in our support of Operation Food Search and all of the incredible ways they are fighting hunger.”
[RELATED: Schnucks Begins Partnership With St. Louis CITY SC]
Recent data from Feeding America shows the food insecurity rate in Missouri is 15 percent, while food insecurity for children in St. Louis City is 30.9 percent and St. Louis County is 17.4 percent. On average, one in four children in OFS’s service area are at risk of hunger.
“Battling food insecurity and hunger in the St. Louis area is truly a team effort,” said Schron Jackson, Schnucks’ director of community engagement and customer care. “We’re proud to once again join forces with our partners at Operation Food Search and CITY SC to continue nourishing people’s lives in the community that we all call home.”
Some of the most-requested items are: chicken, light tuna and salmon (canned and pouches); canned chicken soup, chili, stews with meat/beans; canned fruit (in natural juices); diced tomatoes, tomato paste, canned spaghetti sauces (low sodium appreciated); canned beans (low sodium appreciated); instant brown rice, whole wheat pasta; boxed meal kits; canned vegetables; dried spices: chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, basil; deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste; pop-top canned items are most appreciated; and no glass containers or ramen noodles are accepted.
“We are deeply grateful to St. Louis CITY SC and Schnuck Markets for their commitment to ensuring children, families and individuals have the nutrition they need to thrive,” said Kristen Wild, president and CEO, Operation Food Search. “At a time when food donations are down and many of our neighbors are struggling to keep up, the support of these generous partners is more important than ever.”
