St. Louis, Mo. :Operation Food Search (OFS), a non-profit hunger relief organization, recently served over 92,000 meals during its Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).  The program was funded by the USDA to ensure children ages 18 years of age and younger continue receiving nutritious meals when school is not in session.  The summer meal program provided mobile and stationary service Mon. through Sat. between the hours of 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In 2012, OFS sponsored SFSP at a single location and served 5,000 meals to children.  In the summer of 2016, the introduction of the mobile meals concept proved successful in breaking down transportation barriers and increasing access to healthy food.  This year there were 30 stationary meal service locations, and the mobile meal vans served 33 locations via three routes.

“This year’s record-breaking success happened thanks to our many partners,” said Operation Food Search’s Executive Director Sunny Schaefer.  “Our agency’s mission is to answer the needs of our community, and we believe we did an excellent job this year.”  Schaefer added that, while OFS made huge strides this summer, “we still have plenty of work to do since Missouri ranks among the top 10 states with the highest percentage of households classified as food insecure or having very low food security.”

Since summertime is over, the organization has shifted its focus and is now accepting applications for its afterschool meal program through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).  Qualifying organizations can work with OFS, which will provide nutritious “super snacks” to fuel the minds and bodies of children at the end of each school day.  Visit the agency’s website for further details.