In St. Joseph, Missouri, the Crossing Nutrition Center is making significant strides in combating food insecurity. Each week, the center distributes fresh food to more than 1,800 individuals, addressing hunger challenges faced by community members. The organization sources its food from local retailers, including Sam’s Club, North Belt Walmart, Hy-Vee, and Price Chopper, ensuring a steady supply of nutritious options.
Crossing Nutrition Center has been operational for seven years and operates as a key partner with the Second Harvest Food Bank. This collaboration enables the center to serve as a vital distribution point for fresh food, which is made available to the community every Wednesday and Friday morning. Notably, there are no qualifying criteria for individuals seeking assistance; registration and identification for each member of a household suffice for access.
Executive Director of Crossing Outreach, Roger Lenander, explained that once registered, individuals receive a barcode that allows them to obtain a food box. Each box typically provides meals sufficient for one to two days per week. Lenander emphasized the center’s commitment to sustainability, stating, “We redirect to people’s homes to help get fresh food—about one million pounds a year that would otherwise go to our landfill.”
In 2024, the organization reported serving 78,347 individuals through its food distribution efforts. Lenander highlighted that the program meets the needs of patrons approximately 90% of the time before supplies are exhausted.
Currently, the Crossing Nutrition Center is seeking donations of food coolers to enhance its operations. Community members interested in contributing can visit crossing-outreach.org/donate/ for more information.
The work of the Crossing Nutrition Center exemplifies a proactive approach to tackling food insecurity, ensuring that thousands of individuals in St. Joseph receive essential nutritional support each week.
