OVERVIEW
OUR HISTORY
40 FACTS

Overview

Four Decades of Work to Increase Food Access
More than 40 years ago, dedicated members of a coalition of Catholic, Protestant and Jewish faiths went in search of food for the hungry. What started as the St. Louis United Hunger Effort became Operation Food Search in 1981. Since then, OFS has worked tirelessly to fill a vital need in the community. Now we are going beyond searching for food—we are searching for solutions.

The Path Toward Better Solutions
As we continue our work to heal hunger, we remain true to our origins as a rescue food bank while also addressing the root causes of food insecurity. In addition to providing food and services to more than 200,000 people each month, our nutrition education programs empower individuals and families to eat healthier food on a budget. Our policy and advocacy work strengthens support for safety net programs and increases opportunities for everyone to put food on the table and live healthier lives.

Stay tuned as we release more stories and a timeline of our history. For more information on our organizational strategy, click here.