Operation Food Search: Shop, Fish for a Cause

This time of year is usually the slowest for food bank donations, and Operation Food Search (OFS) is no stranger to the ramifications of that fact.  The food bank, which is the only completely free one in the area, helps feed 24,000 people each month in the St. Charles, Lincoln, and Warren County areas. 

Their two locations, one in St. Louis County and one in O’Fallon, help feed 150,000 people each month.  “Our original location is in St. Louis County, but we’ve had the one in O’Fallon since 2008 and started out feeding 14,000 each month,” said Denny Gladieux, OFS Community Relations Director.  “Now, with the economy going down and people losing their jobs, we’re up to 24,000 people we help feed each month for these three counties.”

Not only does OFS need canned and food donations delivered in person but they also need the help of online shoppers, too.  “We always need monetary and food donations, and probably the easiest and most unique way people can do that is by shopping on our virtual food drive,” Gladieux said.  “If they visit operationfoodsearch.org and click on the virtual food drive option for St. Charles, they can shop online for donations and give that way.”

In addition, volunteers are always needed to help pack food boxes and to host food or can drives at a business or school to help make the program come together. 

Loading boxes not really your thing?  That’s ok, too.  OFS is hosting a fundraiser June 9 called “Empty Bowls,” where people can shop for a cause at The Meadows in Lake St. Louis.  Empty Bowls will have row after row of colorful pottery for shoppers to pick from during 10 a.m-4 p.m. in the pavilion area.  “We have a local potter Bob Allen from The Foundry retail shop in St. Charles who donates 100% of his potter for the sale,” Gladieux said. “He also comes out and gives live pottery making demonstrations at the event.”

This is the third annual Empty Bowls fundraiser event, and Allen has been a part of them all, donating his services to raise money for the cause.

Maybe pottery shopping isn’t your thing either.  For all the fishing aficionados out there, OFS has an event for you, too.  “We are partnering with Action Services to put on the first Fishin’ for Food event at Mark Twain Lake,” Gladieux said.  “There will be attendance and raffle prizes as well.”

Fishin’ for Food takes place on Saturday, June 23 from 6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  All proceeds benefit OFS.  The event will have the first Open Bass Buddy Tournament, and costs run $80 for the entry fee, which includes large bass.  “There’s a $5 entry fee or either a food donation option for kids under 12 for the event,” Gladieux said.

Those wanting to help can always donate food at either of the main OFS locations, but Gladieux urges donors to call first before dropping off food, especially during the hot summer months.  “We are always in and out of the office, so I’d advise everyone to call ahead before they drop off donations,” he said.

The OFS O’Fallon food bank is located at 1435 Hoff Industrial Drive and can be reached at 636-544-3500.  They are open six days a week for donations.  Great Southern Banks (GSB) are also offering their facilities as food donation drop-off locations.  The O’Fallon GSB location is at 100 Christina Marie Dr. and can be reached at 636-281-0286.