St Louis Area Foodbank
Who Can Visit?
The St. Louis Area Foodbank doesn't distribute food directly to individuals at its Bridgeton warehouse. Instead, it supplies food to nearly 600 partner agencies across 26 counties in Missouri and Illinois, including local food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. If you need food, you can use the Pantry Locator on their website to find a food pantry or distribution event near you.
Food & Essentials
The Foodbank distributes a wide range of food to its partner network. A social worker review noted that food boxes help with about 30 meals, with recipients needing only to add meat, dairy, and fresh vegetables. The Foodbank emphasizes nutritious, high-quality items and accepts donations of high-protein, whole-grain, low-sodium, and low-sugar foods to support neighbors with special dietary needs.
How to Pick Up
Neighbors in need can receive food through two types of community distribution events run by the Foodbank and its partners:
Food on the Move (FOTM) is a walk-through, shopping-style program for people in areas of Missouri and Illinois with limited food access. Participants walk through a custom 36-foot trailer and choose the foods they need. No verification of personal information is required to participate. Each trailer holds up to 6,000 pounds of food per event.
F.A.R.M.s (Food Access and Resource Markets) are monthly drive-through distribution events where volunteers hand food directly to families in their cars. Over 50 F.A.R.M. events take place each month across Missouri and Illinois.
For upcoming dates and locations, check the event calendar.
Additional Support
The Foodbank offers several programs beyond general food distribution:
SNAP Benefits: The Foodbank can connect you with its Community Resource team to help with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) enrollment and applications. You can schedule a conversation with the team online.
Senior Assistance (CSFP): The Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides monthly food boxes packed with nutrient-rich USDA foods to income-eligible seniors. Boxes are delivered to local agencies and senior housing. Contact your local food pantry to apply.
TEFAP: The Emergency Food Assistance Program provides free nutrition assistance to low-income individuals. The Foodbank is the sole TEFAP distributor for eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois.
School Markets: School-based food pantries operate like grocery stores in local school buildings, letting students and their families choose nutritious food each week. Sites serve schools where 33% or more of students are in the Free and Reduced Lunch program.
Youth and Family Programs: The Foodbank also partners with colleges and universities to address food insecurity on campus.
United Way 2-1-1: For additional community resources, dial 2-1-1 or call (800) 427-4626 for a 24/7 connection to agencies near you.
Ways to Give
The Foodbank welcomes donations of food and funds. In 2024, it distributed 36 million meals, with more than 96 cents of every donation dollar going directly to community support.
Donate online at the giving page or set up a monthly recurring gift.
Donate by phone: call (314) 292-6262.
Donate by mail: Send checks payable to "St. Louis Area Foodbank" to 70 Corporate Woods Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044.
Donate food: Food donations are accepted at the Bridgeton facility Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. No need to call ahead. The Foodbank welcomes non-perishable items in original sealed packages, especially high-protein, whole-grain, low-sodium, and low-sugar products.
Food drives: Schools, businesses, and organizations can host food drives. Fill out the submission form to get started, or set up a virtual food drive online.
Car donations: Donate a car, truck, boat, RV, jet ski, or snowmobile for a tax deduction through their fundraising partner.
For questions about monthly giving, matching gifts, or car donations, contact Alesia Roccia, Director of Philanthropy, at (314) 292-5393 or aroccia@stlfoodbank.org.
How to Join the Team?
The St. Louis Area Foodbank welcomes volunteers at its Repacking Center (Volunteer Center) and at community distribution events. Nearly 62,000 volunteer hours were logged last year.
To sign up: Browse available shifts and register at the Volunteer Hub. All volunteers must register individually in advance. Groups can email the Foodbank directly.
Volunteer Center: Open to volunteers ages 6 and up. Closed-toe shoes are required.
Distribution events: F.A.R.M. distributions require volunteers to be 16 or older. Food on the Move distributions require volunteers to be 18 or older.
Group volunteering: Groups of up to 30 are welcome. Book at least three months in advance to secure your preferred date.
Hope Notes: Volunteers can also write cards of encouragement from home to be included in senior food boxes. Send cards to: St. Louis Area Foodbank, ATTN: Philanthropy Office, 70 Corporate Woods Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044.
Note: court-ordered community service volunteers are not currently accepted.