Mission Statement

1 in 5 kinds in Missouri struggle with hunger.

383,000 low-income children in Missouri receive free or reduced-price lunch.

All of these kids are eligible for other critical meals, but too many are missing out. Only 55% of children eating free or reduced-price school lunch are getting school breakfast and only 8% of children eating free of reduced-price school lunches are getting summer meals.

When school is out, kids are more at-risk for hunger and obesity. Nearly 143,000 children in our bi-state region bear the burden of food insecurity.

The Dana Brown Charitable Trust awarded a grant to Operation Food Search’s “The Campaign to End Childhood Hunger in the St. Louis Region.”

Impact

The Dana Brown Charitable Trust’s funding supports Operation Food Search’s program expansion plans to increase the number of culinary/nutrition education classes delivered to children, teens and their families; and to remove food access barriers for children through Operation Backpack and the Summer Meals program.

Operation Backpack distributes weekend backpacks of healthy, kid-friendly food during the school year to thousands of children in St. Louis area public schools. Thanks to Operation Backpack, Operation Food Search, and their supporters like The Dana Brown Charitable Trust.

• 87% of the school personnel have seen a positive impact on the families of students participating in the Operation Backpack program.
• Nearly 60% of the teachers surveyed saw an improvement in academic performance and behavior from participating students.

Thanks to the Summer Meals program, Operation Food Search is connecting thousands of children 18 years and under to food while they enjoy fun activities that stimulate their minds.