Our Impact

Calvin put himself through school at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff while working as a security guard. When he graduated, he joined the Marine Corps and served for four years before being injured.

That injury changed his life plans, but he was able to get by until prices rose sharply over the last couple years.

“The raising of the utilities and food is what affected me the most, especially the gas prices,” Calvin said. “Sometimes I have to borrow money to keep up.”

Calvin visits St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Poplar Bluff when he needs extra groceries for the month. The food pantry partners with Southeast Missouri Food Bank to distribute The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) items, which include foods grown and raised in the U.S. and distributed to food banks throughout the nation via the USDA.

TEFAP is a critical source of food for people like Calvin.

“I have been coming to the food pantry distribution for a few years so I can use my money in other areas,” Calvin said. “They give out good things, and it is enough to make a few meals, which is really helpful.”

Read more about The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) here.