New SEMO Food Bank location holds ribbon-cutting in Jackson

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) - Southeast Missouri Food Bank held a ribbon cutting and open house for its new location in Jackson.

The ribbon cutting with the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce and Jackson Chamber of Commerce was at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, followed by an open house until 6 p.m. The Food Bank’s CEO, Joey Keys, said in a release that this opening will be important step.

“This expansion is an important step for the Food Bank, and we’re excited to finally be able to welcome people to the space,” said Keys.

According to the release from the Food Bank, the new location provides more storage, specifically for disaster relief items like bottled water. It also adds a second volunteer center where Backpacks for Friday kits will be packed and food drive items will be sorted.

The Food Bank bought the building in Jackson in 2021 and began renovating it. Staff started moving into the building in December.

Sarah Garner works at SEMO Food Bank and said this new expansion will move their Backpack For Friday program into the new location.

“We are partnered with over 30 different school districts and every Friday we have 1200 students that go home with enough food for the entire weekend,” said Garner.

She also mentioned that the need of food is only rising. According to Garner, more than 82,000 families are fed through their help each month across sixteen counties.

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