Festival of Sharing Supports Food Security Efforts

Festival of Sharing is expanding our mission of supporting efforts to reduce poverty and hunger. We are excited to mark year two of offering the Growing Access Grants by awarding $9,800 to 11 agencies across the state. The applications we received were not only diverse in agency location but also in the population being served and the project theme. A few project examples include produce bags incorporating familiar foods for refugees. Grocery gift cards for youth in a program enabling them to live independently and learn to budget, shop and prepare nutritious meals. A teen empowerment collective that helps Hispanic youth build community around preparing healthy food and snacks. And a Saturday breakfast community for low-income, elderly and immigrant families. 

We hope the Growing Access Grant will support projects, programs or services that will impact hunger, nutrition or food security. We also encourage applicants to consider an approach to empower the target audience or community. Many of the agencies we partner with work to meet immediate food needs and help people and families navigate the factors that might’ve led to food or nutrition insecurity. They are building relationships, providing education and increasing community awareness. We want them to know their work is appreciated and supported by the Festival of Sharing.

This year’s grant awardees are Whole Health Outreach (Ellington), Salvation Army (Lebanon), Open Door Service Center (Sedalia), Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund (Lexington), Loaves & Fishes of Maries Co. (Vienna), Lazarus Ministries (KC), Lifwise STL (STL), Hope House (Lake Ozark), Hillsboro Food Pantry (Hillsboro), Della Lamb (KC) and Cornerstones of Care (KC). We are excited to partner with these agencies as they live out their passions to reduce hunger, expand nutritional options and improve food experiences.

Funding for this year’s grant cycle came as an anonymous estate gift. We celebrate the life of this donor and appreciate the opportunity to share their legacy of service and compassion with agencies around the state. We are grateful for monetary gifts received throughout the year, which help us extend support to agencies working in their communities. If you are interested in supporting future grant opportunities, checks can be made out to MOAC with Festival of Sharing- Missouri Hunger in the memo line. Mail to Festival of Sharing, 3601 Amron Court, Columbia, MO 65202.

To learn more about funding opportunities, like our Cooperative Response Grants for church-community partnerships, please visit festivalofsharing.org/resources.