The Home of Love Foundation has donated $700,000 to Operation Food Search as part of a larger $1 million campaign to expand food access and support households experiencing food insecurity.
“When people are fed, they have the opportunity to actually follow their dreams, take care of their kids, be productive at work and live their best lives,” said Jared Boyd, a spokesperson for the foundation.
Operation Food Search will use the funding to increase distribution capacity, expand outreach programs and strengthen wraparound services for individuals and families facing hunger. The investment will also support nutrition initiatives aimed at stabilizing households and improving long-term health outcomes.
“This is the second largest donation we’ve received from an individual in the history of our 44 years,” said Kristen Wild, president and CEO of Operation Food Search. “This funding will go far.”
The foundation supports Operation Food Search’s efforts to reduce homelessness and food insecurity through programs that provide housing stabilization, nutritional assistance and community-based support services.
The donation will also support coordinated efforts among nonprofit and faith-based partners working to meet growing needs, according to Wild.
St. Louis County officials welcomed the support and emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in addressing hunger.
“Operation Food Search plays an important role in our community to address hunger,” said St. Louis County Executive Sam Page. “There’s never been a more important time to support our food banks.”
Boyd said the foundation is a charitable trust dedicated to strengthening communities and improving outcomes for vulnerable families across the St. Louis region.