Riedel Foundation gives $10,000 grant to help stock food pantries in Hannibal

HANNIBAL, Mo. — A $10,000 grant from the Riedel Foundation will provide enough food to supply 40,000 meals to Hannibal residents in need. The food is distributed by The Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri and will stock the shelves at Douglass Community Services, Harvest Outreach and the Salvation Army.

Based on the latest data from Feeding America, one in seven Marion County residents experience food insecurity.

“This means over 4,000 neighbors in the county do not have consistent access to the amount of safe, nutritious food needed to live a healthy, active life,” Kate Pankey with The Food Bank said in a press release. “Prolonged food insecurity is linked to chronic health conditions in adults such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. In children, it can lead to behavioral challenges, health issues and poor academic performance.”

The Food Bank distributed 925,000 pounds of food last year in Marion County. That equals about 740,000 meals. Through its ability to purchase in bulk and receive donations through the Feeding America network, The Food Bank can stretch dollars further than local pantries can. The organization’s purchasing power and ability to procure truckloads of donated food allows The Food Bank to turn every $1,000 in financial support into around 4,000 meals worth of food.

“This is an efficient way to get food onto the tables of the people in Hannibal who need it most,” Riedel trustee Michael Gaines said.