Salvation Army Receives Generous Grant to Feed Families in Need This Holiday Season

In a heartwarming display of community support, the George H. Riedel Foundation has awarded the Salvation Army of Hannibal, Missouri, a ,000 grant to help feed those in need this fall and throughout the Christmas season. This timely donation will ensure that no one in the region goes hungry during the holiday festivities.

Restocking Pantry Shelves and Providing Christmas Meals

Replenishing the Food Pantry

The Salvation Army plans to use ,000 of the grant to restock the shelves of their local food pantry, which has been depleted after the summer months. As Jake Reed, the Donor Relations Coordinator, explains, "This is a slow time for pantry donations, and the need is ever increasing. We need to fill our pantry shelves with nutritional foods after the summer months. The shelves are bare, and there are no vegetables. The Riedel Foundation grant will help fill the need until our fall food drives begin."This timely infusion of funds will ensure that the Salvation Army can provide a steady supply of essential food items to those facing food insecurity in the Hannibal community. By replenishing the pantry, the organization can continue to serve as a vital resource for families in need, bridging the gap until the upcoming fall food drives.

Providing Christmas Meals

The remaining ,000 of the grant will be used to cover approximately one-third of the total cost of providing Christmas food boxes to families in need. The Salvation Army expects to distribute around 850 of these boxes, each containing all the necessary ingredients for a complete Christmas dinner, including a main course, side dishes, and even breakfast items for Christmas morning.As Riedel Trustee Paul Richards eloquently states, "We don't want anyone to go hungry Christmas day. So many people face daily food insecurity, and this is just one day of the year they won't have to worry about it. It's the right thing to do." This sentiment underscores the Salvation Army's commitment to ensuring that no one in the community is left without a warm, nourishing meal during the holiday season.

Serving a Wider Region

While the Christmas food boxes will be distributed to residents in six northeast Missouri counties, the majority, over 90%, will serve the Hannibal community. This targeted approach allows the Salvation Army to focus its resources on the areas with the greatest need, ensuring that the grant's impact is felt most acutely by those who need it the most.The Salvation Army's dedication to providing food assistance during the holiday season is a testament to their unwavering commitment to supporting the local community. With the generous support of the George H. Riedel Foundation, they can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity, bringing the joy and comfort of a warm meal to families in need.