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Feeding Families

Funded by the Doerr Center for Social Justice and led by Jesse Helton, Ph.D., faculty member in the School of Social Work, Feeding Families delivers reliable, high-quality nutrition to families facing severe food insecurity in St. Louis City and County. The Feeding Families reflects Saint Louis University’s Jesuit mission of equity, service, and community care.

Two female volunteers load the trunk of a car with a box of food to be delivered.

Feeding Families relies on volunteers to help serve our families.

Feeding Families Mission

Feeding Families delivers nutritious ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat meals to families with young children who are facing severe food insecurity in St. Louis City and County five days a week.

The Need

Food insecurity is a growing crisis for many families. In 2023, 1% of U.S. households with children experienced very low food security — meaning they skipped meals and sometimes went hungry. However, among child welfare-involved families in the St. Louis area, research shows the rate is dramatically higher at 44%. The toll of this severe form of insecurity is wide-ranging. By removing the burden of securing daily meals, our deliveries can reduce household stress, support nutritional and emotional health, and promote family stability.

How We Help

From day one, our families receive an abundance of made-from-scratch meals, delivered right to their doorsteps. We partner with St. Louis Crisis Nursery and Lutheran Family and Children’s Services to identify families most at risk of child protection involvement. And this is not your typical food service program! With meals prepared by Propel Kitchens for about $4.50 per person, families enjoy made-from-scratch meals like chili with cornbread, spaghetti with garlic bread, and chicken fajitas with Spanish rice—along with fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, and baked desserts.

Volunteer with Us

Our program relies on volunteers to deliver meals — a “reverse Meals on Wheels” approach! Volunteers use their own vehicles to deliver meals to four to five households between 10:30 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday. 

Volunteer for Feeding Families

We provide training, route maps, and text, email, or phone reminders. If you’re an adult with a car and a heart for service, you can help bring nourishment and hope directly to families who need it most.