Gov. Nixon, Alden pitch in at Central Missouri Food Bank

The food shipment was one of many funded by federal stimulus money.

By Will Guldin

Published Aug. 10, 2009

Gov. Jay Nixon and MU Athletics Director Mike Alden helped unload a shipment of food to the Central Missouri Food Bank on Monday.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program funded the shipment, which contained 843 units of Bongard’s cheese. TEFAP funding is a portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Nixon said the program ensures $1.9 million in aid for food banks across the state.

Nixon also encouraged people throughout Missouri to give their own time and money to the food bank.

“The food is needed now more than ever,” Nixon said.

Central Missouri Food Bank Executive Director Peggy Kirkpatrick said in the past seven months, the number of people seeking assistance from the food bank has risen 18 percent.

Nixon said the food bank supplied food to more than 13,000 people in Boone County alone last month.

“With the way the economy is, the demand on food banks is only growing,” he said.

Alden said the athletics department has been involved with the food bank for quite some time. He said the MU football team has been a part of the “Score Against Hunger” campaign for more than 10 years.

The campaign encourages people to pledge a certain amount of money for every point the Tiger football scores. He said the program has raised more than $2 million since it began.

Alden said the athletics department helps the food bank because the food bank helps so many Tiger fans.

“If there’s an opportunity for the Tigers to get out there and help our fans, then that is something we’re going to do,” Alden said.

Rep. Stephen Webber, D-Columbia, was present at the event and said the governor's attendance was an important sign.

“If you look at someone’s schedule, you can see where their priorities are,” Webber said. “And I think by taking so much of his time to come here today it is reflective of his commitment to help Missourians in need.”