Labor Finders and Operation Food Search: The Pursuit to End Food Insecurity

ST. LOUIS, MO—Timing is everything. Now more than ever when a local business and a charity connects, the goal is to bring about positive changes in their community. Just in time for the holidays Labor Finders and Operation Food Search has come together to obtain fresh and nutritious food to assist the people of St. Louis stay healthy.

A growing economic issue throughout the United States is food insecurity; essentially not having the access to a variety of nutritious foods that supports thriving health. For many families it means not knowing what their next balanced meal will be and many will trade off fresh fruits, veggies, dairy and lean protein for cheaper alternatives like fast food and easily available junk foods high in sugar, salt and fat. Health is compromised quickly. This is especially critical for children (ages 18 and under) where bodies need a wide range of nutrition to thrive, especially for brain development.

Prior to the pandemic, the St. Louis bi-state region had a food insecurity rate of about 14% overall and for kids, one in six. Since March, the rate skyrocket to 19% and is heading upward as there is a spike in the virus along with workplace and school shutdowns. For children, the rate of food insecurity is moving quickly toward one in three as in-person learning in schools (and the meals provided there) dissipates. This is catastrophic for both the current emergency and for St. Louis’ long-term recovery.

“For the past 40 years, Operation Food Search has operated as a food rescue foodbank, working with the entire local food industry to reclaim leftover, nutritious, delicious food. We work with local farmers to glean field for produce, with food manufacturers and wholesalers to reclaim food from overruns and cancelled orders, with restaurants and food service companies, and most importantly with our local grocers. Every month, the food we rescue is enough to feed 200,000 people across 30 MO/IL counties,” stated Judy Coyman, Director of Community Relations for Operation Food Search.

Having lived and worked in St. Louis for the past seven years, Collins Harlan, branch manager of the Labor Finders office in St. Louis has developed close ties to the community. Collins along with his branch staff will assist Operation Food Search, “We will be collecting non-perishable food items, as well as monetary donations. We would also like to do some bell ringing in front of local grocery stores to encourage food donations. We cannot let people go hungry in our community. We have previously supplied workers to the St. Louis Area Food Bank as well as Operation Food Search, but this is the first event working with OFS in a fund-raising capacity.”

If you are in the neighborhood and would like to drop off your food items at the St. Louis Labor Finders office, the address is 4024 Butler Hill Road, Suite 10 and their phone number is 636-287-3709.

About Operation Food Search:

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search (OFS) is a hunger relief organization that provides free food, nutrition education and innovative programs proven to reduce food insecurity. With a strategic focus aimed at ending childhood hunger, OFS empowers families and increases access to healthy and affordable food. The agency provides food and services to nearly 200,000 individuals monthly – one-third of whom are children – through a network of 330 community partners in 30 Missouri and Illinois counties. For more information, call (314) 726-5355 or visit www.OperationFoodSearch.org.

About Labor Finders International:

Since 1975 Labor Finders International, Inc., a franchise company is the country's oldest and largest privately held industrial labor staffing company in the United States. For twelve consecutive years Labor Finders has received top honors in the Clearly Rated Best of Staffing Client competition; no other staffing company has won more times than Labor Finders. Operating almost 200 offices nationwide, Labor Finders with a strong tradition of leadership as the country's top name and resource in the business of temporary industrial staffing. Labor Finders is a proud member of the American Staffing Association (ASA).

Labor Finders strength comes from the commitment of locally operated staffing offices that consistently satisfy their customers, while demonstrating their core values everyday: Respect, Appreciation and Safety. The mission is simple: treat temporary employees and customers fairly.

Note to Media:

To schedule an interview with Collins Harlan, branch manager of the Labor Finders office in St. Louis or for more information on Labor Finders, please feel free to contact Celina Klee, the Public Relations Manager for Labor Finders International, Inc. at 561-273-8226 or at Celina.klee@laborfinders.com . In addition, please be sure to check out the Labor Finders International, Inc. website at www.laborfinders.com.

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