SOUTHEAST MISSOURI (Heartland News) – A Heartland nonprofit is marking Hunger Action Month as tens of thousands face hunger across the region.
All September long, Southeast Missouri Food Bank is challenging people and businesses to step up and meet that need.
The Sikeston-based group has already received support from home, with Mayor Greg Turnbow signing a proclamation on Monday, August 31.
Those with the food bank say proclamations from other communities are also forthcoming.
On Tuesday, September 1, local rice farmers came together to donate 12,000 pounds of rice to SEMO Food Bank.
It will go to feed thousands of families across the bank’s 16-county service area.
Read also: Heartland rice farmers team up with SEMO Food Bank for “Harvesting Hope”
Heather Collier said Hunger Action Month is about recognizing the impact small choices can make.
“We really want for people to realize that there are a lot of ways to fight hunger, whether you can do something big like donate 12,000 pounds of rice, or something small. It all matters and it all helps our neighbors facing hunger.”
Collier explained how two different challenges are spurring people to support the cause.
“For our families facing hunger, every meal can be a challenge sometimes, and so we thought it would be a great way to encourage people to give back.”
The $100 Challenge is for individuals.
“That’s a peer-led fundraiser. So if you wanted to go onto the website and start your $100 Challenge, you could ask your friends and family to meet that goal. Whether that’s $5 or a dollar or $20, it all adds up.”
Collier said $100 helps provide 400 meals.
“For businesses, we have a FOOD Challenge, which is a little broader. It’s sort of like a bingo game, and they are trying to get their boards filled to be able to win prizes. They’re doing food drives, they’re doing social media activities, donations, they’re volunteering, all the different ways we want to see our community engage.”
That community engagement supports a wide-reaching effort.
“We have 69,000 people who are food insecure in our communities. We serve 16 counties, so Bloomsdale to Caruthersville. It is a challenge.”
Collier said it’s not always clear who’s facing food insecurity.
“It could be the person sitting next to you. It could be the person in line next to you at the store or somebody in your child’s class. So you don’t know what it looks like, but it is a very real issue. It is here.”
Collier said data shows the issue is not improving on its own.
“We had over 5,000 people from one year to the next in our most recent data that are food insecure now. So those donations, whether it is a financial gift or whether it’s donating your time, volunteers are vital to what we do.”
Collier said people can also set up automatic monthly donations in an amount of their choosing as part of the Full Plates Club.
She also encouraged groups to consider volunteering together during the upcoming holiday season, though volunteers are welcome year-round.
SEMO Food Bank is located at 600 State Hwy H in Sikeston.
Call (573) 471-1818 or visit semofoodbank.org to learn more.
Copyright 2026 Heartland News. All rights reserved.
Dining and Cooking