Ameren doubles St. Louis food donations through month end

The St. Louis Area Foodbank will receive a $300,000 donation match from Ameren for every dollar given during the Thanks4Giving campaign. The utility company will honor these matches through November 30, aiming to increase the volume of food available to families in the region before the winter holidays.

Food insecurity affects one in seven people in the St. Louis area. Among children in the region, that number rises to one in five. As food prices continue to climb, the food bank stated that it requires all available assistance to meet demand during the upcoming holiday season.

Employees at World Wide Technology recently took time away from their desks to help with distribution. The group packed more than 1,200 meals in less than one hour. These meals will be distributed by the food bank to local households.

Ashley Harris, the director of culture and community at World Wide Technology, said giving back is built into the company’s culture. Erica Kinkead, the food bank’s director of marketing and communications, noted that participants can see the direct impact of their labor. She said the work benefits neighbors in the community.

Kinkead said the food bank is looking to expand packing events quickly. She reported that many area groups have expressed interest in getting involved. The organization describes these events as a way for communities to engage directly with the cause.

Donations to the campaign can be made online. The Ameren match will apply to gifts made before the end of November. The food bank will continue to accept meal donations and volunteer sign-ups for future packing sessions.