Nearly 1 in 4 people living in the City of St. Louis lives in poverty and faces hunger, and local food pantries across the region have experienced a 30% increase in requests over the last year.

As summer approaches and school lets out, approximately 135,000 children in the St. Louis region will lose their access to free & reduced breakfast and lunch.

Together, we can help fill children’s bellies this summer so they won’t go hungry.  Washington University is partnering with Operation Food Search to coordinate the 3rd annual University-Wide Food Drive, which runs April 4-16.

Olin has been a campus leader in Food Drive donations the past three years. With a goal of 5,000 pounds, the faculty and staff are challenging the students to clear out their pantries and donate to this important cause.

There are two easy ways for students, staff, and faculty to participate:

1. Donate food at a drop-off location near you.
Kid-friendly foods are preferred and all food is welcome.  A list of preferred food – and drop-off locations – is available at http://fooddrive.wustl.edu.  Please, no glass items.  Drop-off locations are available on the Danforth Campus, Medical Campus, North Campus, and West Campus.  Peanut butter and canned chicken, tuna, & fruit can be purchased at Paws & Go Market (South 40) & Millbrook Market (North Side). To be counted in the Olin challenge use bins located in Simon Hall Flag Hallway.

2. Make an online donation to Operation Food Search.
Visit http://fooddrive.wustl.edu to make a secure, tax-deductible donation to Operation Food Search.  Payment is by credit card, and every $4 donation allows Operation Food Search to provide one person with enough food for a day. To be counted in the Olin challenge, drop off checks in the MBA office or tell Claire the amount you donate online; one dollar = one pound of food.

Please visit http://fooddrive.wustl.edu to learn more about hunger in St. Louis and opportunities to get involved beyond PB&Joy.