Mayor Spencer calls on St. Louis residents and businesses to join the fight against hunger amidst federal SNAP cuts.
In a bold move to address the growing food insecurity crisis in St. Louis, Mayor Cara Spencer has announced the launch of the 2025 City Food Insecurity Fund. This initiative, created in partnership with the United Way of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis Area Food Bank, Operation Food Search, and Integrated Health Network, aims to bridge the gap left by recent cuts to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The fund will channel donations directly to emergency food assistance efforts, supporting local food banks, pantries, and grassroots organizations that are on the front lines of the crisis. Mayor Spencer emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that “1 in 5 residents in the City of St. Louis relies on SNAP benefits to make ends meet.” The recent federal funding cuts, coupled with the lingering effects of the May 16th tornado, have left many residents struggling to rebuild their lives.
As of September 2025, over 54,000 city residents in more than 31,000 households depended on SNAP benefits, with monthly distributions totaling $11.5 million. The loss of this critical support has created a significant gap that the City Food Insecurity Fund seeks to address.
“This is an enormous gap to fill, and we need all hands on deck to help meet the immediate needs of our residents,” said Mayor Spencer. She called on individuals and businesses in the St. Louis region to contribute to the fund and donate food to local food drives and food banks, which are experiencing unprecedented demand.
Meredith Knopp, President and CEO of the St. Louis Area Foodbank, highlighted the strain on resources caused by the ongoing government shutdown. “Many neighbors in our community are facing extremely difficult decisions about paying for food or other essentials such as rent, medication, and utilities,” she said.
How to Help
Residents and businesses can support the fight against food insecurity in several ways:
Donate to the 2025 City Food Insecurity Fund: Contributions can be made at helpingpeople.org/cityfoodfund. All funds will be used to assist local agencies and organizations providing food assistance.
Food Donations:
Operation Food Search: Non-perishable items can be dropped off 24/7 at 1644 Lotsie Blvd., St. Louis, MO. Perishable donations are accepted Monday through Friday, 12–4 p.m. operationfoodsearch.org
St. Louis Area Foodbank: Donations are accepted at 70 Corporate Woods Drive, Bridgeton, MO, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. stlfoodbank.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Individuals can find opportunities to volunteer at food pantries and food banks through the United Way volunteer portal at stlvolunteer.org/foodinsecurity.
Mayor Spencer’s call to action underscores the importance of community solidarity in addressing this crisis. By coming together, St. Louis can ensure that no resident goes hungry during these challenging times.
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