programs

CSFP | Food Solicitation | Food Purchases | Food Drives | TEFAP | Transitional Housing
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

**St. Louis Area Foodbank's Executive Director Elected to Serve on National CSFP Association Board of Directors**

The USDA’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides women, children under six years of age and seniors citizens with nutritious food. In partnership with the St. Louis Area Foodbank, the Missouri Department of Health will serve 4,218 people in St. Louis City.

National figures indicate that eighty percent of those served will be senior citizens. Participants who meet income guidelines will receive a monthly food package that includes items such as canned meat, vegetables, fruits, fruit juices, potatoes, and hot and cold cereal. According to the USDA, these packages do not provide a complete diet but provide a good source of nutrients typically lacking in the diets of senior citizens.

For information about the Foodbank's role in CSFP, please contact:

Diane Richardson, CSFP Coordinator
(314) 292-5396 | drichardson@stlfoodbank.org

For more on CSFP, please visit www.dhss.mo.gov/csfp.
Food Solicitation
Both local and national food industry companies work annually with the St. Louis Area Foodbank providing us with a steady supply of product throughout each year. For more information about the program, contact Lenora Young or call her at 314/292-5395.
Protecting Food Donors:  Click here to learn about The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act which protects food donors.
Click here for Missouri's House Bill 1559 which adds grocery and convenience stores to the list of donors that can donate food to a charity or nonprofit organization for distribution without being liable for damages resulting from the food's condition.
Food Purchases
It is sometimes necessary for the St. Louis Area Foodbank to purchase product in order to provide nutritious meals to those in need. For instance, if we receive a large amount of pasta sauce through our Food Solicitation Program, we may purchase pasta to complement the donation. If you would like more information about our Food Purchase Program, contact Lenora Young or call her at 314/292-5395. Purchases are made by the Foodbank using money that is donated by corporations or individual donors.
Food Drives
In 2008, the St. Louis Area Foodbank Food Drive Program collected more than 1.5  million pounds of food through 163 food drives.  Annually, we benefit from such large-scale food drives as "Scouting for Food," and the National Association of Letter Carriers' Food Drive.  However, community food drives are occuring throughout the area on a daily basis.  Businesses, and organizations sponsor food drives that help support our mission and provide product to those in need.  We have the staff and coordination necessary to make your event work perfectly.  If you would like more information about sponsoring a food drive, please contact LaCasey Milton or call her at 314/292-5761.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The St. Louis Area Foodbank is the sole non-profit distributor of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) product for both eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois.

For more information about our TEFAP Program, contact:
 
Ting Lai
Agency Relations Coordinator (Missouri)
314.292.5390
tlai@stlfoodbank.org
 
Brenna Finnegan
Agency Relations Coordinator (Illinois)
314.292.5388
bfinnegan@stlfoodbank.org

Transitional Housing - Helping You Get Home
How it works: In 2006, the St. Louis Area Foodbank helped more than 400 families through its Transitional Housing Program by providing one month's supply of food and other household items to families making the move from dependence to self-sufficiency. 

Qualifications: Any family or individual leaving a functioning shelter for a house or apartment qualities for this program.

If you qualify or if your agency has clients that qualify for this program, please contact:

Jim Eschen, Program Supervisor
Agency Relations Department
(314) 292-5764 | jeschen@stlfoodbank.org