Join Ameren and the St. Louis Area Foodbank to provide 1.5 million meals to local families

Company announces up to $200,000 match as part of its annual Thanks for Giving Community Challenge Grant

This November, Ameren is once again kicking off its Thanks for Giving Community Challenge Grant to help feed families throughout Missouri and Illinois. As part of the event, Ameren is matching all donations made to the St. Louis Area Foodbank, up to $200,000. This year, the goal is to rase a total of $500,000 in foodbank donations, which is equivalent to approximately 1.5 million meals.

“Our continued partnership with the St. Louis Area Foodbank helps provide nutritious food for individuals, families and communities in 26 counties in Missouri and Illinois,” said Gwen Mizell, senior vice president and chief sustainability, diversity and philanthropy officer at Ameren. “People in our communities can’t flourish if they’re worried about meeting basic needs, like feeding their families. Through AmerenCares, we are supporting nonprofits that help meet those critical needs, like food, health care and housing.”

According to the Foodbank, one in seven area residents in the bistate region need food assistance, including one in six children. Like most families, the Foodbank is not immune to the impact of the current economic challenges. They are facing reduced donations of food as their partners are dealing with increased costs and supply chain issues.

Monetary donations are critical to the Foodbank's ability to overcome these challenges. They can purchase food items at significantly reduced costs, allowing a donation of just $100 to feed one family for a whole month. With Ameren’s matching contribution, each donation from community members will have twice the impact. Ameren will match donations made between now and Nov. 30, or until donations reach $200,000, whichever comes first. Last year, Ameren's challenge grant propelled the foodbank to raise more than $530,000. Donate now at stlfoodbank.org/thanks4giving.

“With the holidays just around the corner, we believe that our mission of ‘nourishing people, empowering communities and transforming systems’ is more important than ever,” said Meredith Knopp, president and CEO of the St. Louis Area Foodbank. “Meals are an important part of holiday traditions, and they bring friends and families together. Through our continued partnership with our friends at Ameren, we will be able to bring food and support to families during this time of great need. Through this opportunity, we challenge our community to give food, give love and give now to make an impact this year.”