SIKESTON, Mo. – Midwest Sterilization Corporation has contributed $35,000 to Southeast Missouri Food Bank’s Feed More campaign, supporting the food bank’s expansion with a second location in Jackson.
“Midwest Sterilization Corporation is proud to support the Southeast Missouri Food Bank’s expansion in Jackson in order to increase their much-needed services in our area,” said Karen Eldridge, president and CEO of Midwest Sterilization. “We applaud the food bank on recognizing a need and acting on it.”
The food bank acquired the former Sappington Pro building in Jackson last fall using grant and reserve funding and launched the Feed More campaign to raise capital for necessary renovation and repairs. The food bank’s Jackson location provides 18,500 square feet of warehouse and office space, which will allow for storage of additional food and water and serve as a second center for volunteer activities.
“This expansion is an important step for the food bank and will allow us to better serve families facing hunger,” said Joey Keys, chief executive officer of SEMO Food Bank. “Midwest Sterilization has long supported our mission to end hunger, which makes their contribution to this project even more valuable.”
In recognition of its contribution, the patio area of the food bank’s north building will be named in honor of Midwest Sterilization.
The food bank, founded in 1985, acquires food in mass quantities and distributes it through food pantries, mobile food distributions and special programs for senior citizens, school children and veterans. Its network includes 140 agencies in 16 counties across southeast Missouri. The main distribution center located off Interstate 55 in Sikeston will remain the food bank’s primary location. Staff have begun working out of the building, with a planned opening for the public after the new year.
About Midwest Sterilization Corporation
Midwest Sterilization Corporation, located in Jackson, MO sterilizes medical devices for device manufacturers. Device sterilization is a critical part of the device manufacturing process and is essential to keeping patients safe from pathogens. MSC provides sterilization for more than 40 percent of the nation’s sterile procedure trays, representing every two out of five surgeries in the United States.
MSC remains strongly committed to improving patient health and safeguarding lives. This includes ensuring that public health and safety precautions extend not only to our employees, medical patients, but also to the neighbors and families in the communities where we live and work.
About Southeast Missouri Food Bank
The mission of Southeast Missouri Food Bank is to end hunger and leverage the power of food to build healthy communities. The food bank provides food to 143 charitable and disaster relief programs in Southeast Missouri. These member agencies include food pantries, soup kitchens, domestic violence and homeless shelters. Southeast Missouri Food Bank also holds regular mobile food distributions and provides monthly boxes of food to 5,350 senior citizens and weekend backpacks of food during the school year to nearly 1,200 students in 30 school districts. The food bank’s 16-county coverage area includes Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, and Wayne counties. Those interested in helping can do so by making a tax-deductible contribution, donating food, or scheduling a time to volunteer. Visit semofoodbank.org for more information.