In St. Louis Area Foodbank's 50th year, Ameren helps drive campaign toward 4 million meals
Dollar-for-dollar match, up to $200,000, doubles community impact as Foodbank celebrates five decades of service
This November, Ameren is striving to help feed families across Missouri and Illinois through its Thanks for Giving Community Challenge Grant. As a part of the program, Ameren will match all donations made to the St. Louis Area Foodbank, up to $200,000.
This holiday season, the Foodbank aims to raise $500,000 to help those in need. According to the organization, achieving this goal will provide approximately 2 million meals for people in the community.
“Year after year, Ameren stands with the St. Louis Area Foodbank because this partnership helps families right here at home,” said Gwen Mizell, senior vice president, chief sustainability officer at Ameren. "Our partnership is designed to accelerate the Foodbank’s ability to do what matters most: get healthy food to families with dignity. This year especially, as many households face added uncertainty, the Foodbank’s mission has taken on even greater urgency.”
The Foodbank reports that one in every seven people in Eastern Missouri and Southwestern Illinois face hunger, including one in six children. To meet rising needs, the organization and its network have expanded distributions and hosted additional food drives. Each year, the Foodbank and its more than 600 partners distribute tens of millions of meals across 26 counties through mobile distributions, school markets and pantry distributions – bringing food directly to those who need it.
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. Donate now at stlfoodbank.org/thanks4giving.
“As we commemorate 50 years of nourishing our neighbors, the St. Louis Area Foodbank remains a beacon of hope for the bi-state region,” said Meredith Knopp, president and CEO of the St. Louis Area Foodbank. “This holiday season, many households in our community are making difficult decisions between paying for food or other necessities. Through our continued partnership with our friends at Ameren, we will be able to provide comforting meals and support to local families at a time when so many are in need.”
The Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust was established in 1944 to serve as a principal source of the company’s philanthropic investments in community projects and programs. Allocations from the Trust's AmerenCares program come entirely from corporate earnings.