Our Impact

Hunger touches thousands of children across Southeast Missouri, shaping daily routines and family decisions in ways many never see. In our region, one in four children lives in a food-insecure household, including Randall Jr., the youngest of four siblings.

Randall Jr., still in elementary school, has already learned to be frugal. He eats leftovers, wears hand-me-downs, and understands the need to make resources stretch. When his aunt moved in, his family faced even greater challenges securing enough food to feed all members of the household.

To help, Randall Sr. and his son attended one of SEMO Food Bank’s A Better Childhood (ABC) Mobile Pantries, which provides healthy food to students and their families.

“You never want to feel like you can’t provide for your family,” Randall Sr. said during the distribution. “We could all be one paycheck away from being stuck between a rock and a hard place. All families face hard times, and it’s reassuring to know that help is here when you need it.”

Along with learning frugality, Randall Jr. has also come to understand the importance of good nutrition for growing children. Having access to nutritious food has improved his academic performance and overall well-being. He especially looks forward to after-school snacks and weekend meals like fried chicken and mashed potatoes, which have become highlights for him and his family.

The support they receive from the Food Bank and their community allows the family to focus on what Randall Sr. says matters most: “Making things better in the moment to alleviate struggles in the future.”