Our Impact

An Army veteran, James has spent most of his life in Cape Girardeau County. With his children grown and moved away, it’s just he and his wife, who do their best to maintain their health, which has grown more challenging on a fixed income.

“We try to get some exercise and try to find food that’s halfway reasonable in the store,” James said. “When you’re limited (financially), you know it seems really high with all the changes of food prices.”

James was at the first Veterans Healthy Food Surplus distribution in Cape Girardeau earlier this year.

James at the first Veterans Healthy Food Surplus in Cape Girardeau

The program, operated by SEMO Food Bank in partnership with the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, was able to expand to Cape Girardeau in 2024 thanks to funding from the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust.

Each month, Veterans like James receive a box of fresh produce and lean protein, with the aim of helping improve overall health.

“I try to make sure I get enough protein each day,” James said. “I’ll drink protein shakes sometimes, but those things are pretty expensive. This program means a lot to me, to be able to get some healthy food.”