Our Impact

David, a Navy veteran who later served in the Reserves, lives a quiet life in Mississippi County with his dog, Diesel. After years of driving trucks and working in factories, pain in his back and leg made it impossible to keep working, and he now relies on disability and his pension. It helps, but not enough to keep up with rising grocery prices, especially meat. And because of that pension, he doesn’t qualify for SNAP.

“I know a lot of people who go to food pantries because they don’t qualify for SNAP,” he said.

It’s a reality faced by nearly half of food-insecure individuals in Southeast Missouri, who don’t qualify for assistance for a variety of reasons.

At one of SEMO Food Bank’s holiday distributions, David waited in line, waiting to see what food he would receive.

“It’s one of the fun things,” he said. “You never know what you’re going to get.” When he found out ham would be distributed, he got excited, thinking about all the meals he would be able to make. “I do love ham,” he said.

Mobile Food Pantries help him stretch what he can afford, making sure he and Diesel get through the month. For David, SEMO Food Bank’s mobile food pantries offer more than groceries. They bring a sense of steadiness and comfort, knowing someone is looking out for him.