Second Harvest hosts “Fill the Van”, sites at local grocers

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- If you spot a Second Harvest Community Food Bank truck outside your local grocery store, you have a chance to help fight food insecurity in the St. Joseph and Savannah areas.

From July through October, Second Harvest will park its truck twice a month outside Sam’s Club in St. Joseph and Brother’s Market in Savannah. The goal is to collect donations of newly purchased food items to support the Campus Cupboard program, which serves 19 counties and more than 50,000 children during the summer months.

Communications Director Mackenzie Osborn said the drives typically collect between 7,000 and 10,000 pounds of food. She emphasized the importance of items that can be used to prepare multiple meals.

"The thing that matters most when it comes to feeding families is providing items that help make complete meals," Osborn said. "Today we’ve received macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and vegetables, all things that are healthy and help families stretch their meals."

Shoppers like Laura Coborn, who donated pasta, spaghetti sauce and honey, said giving is quick and meaningful.

"I donated some pasta, spaghetti sauce and honey, and I feel like God wants us to give," Coborn said.

The food drives are held twice a month, on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. But for those who can’t make it, Osborn said there are still ways to contribute.

"If you aren't able to make a donation at one of the Fill The Van days or outside the area, you can always start a local food drive to benefit your local food pantry because they're always in need, just like the school food pantries are," Osborn said.

In addition to the monthly events, a citywide food drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 3, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, at multiple locations.

• Sam’s Club, 5201 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph
• Brother’s Market, 402 E. Price Ave., Savannah
• Cosentino’s Price Chopper, 2219 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, Missouri
• Hy-Vee, 201 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, Missouri