CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Southeast Missouri Food Bank is once again teaming up with Southeast Missouri State University’s Department of Athletics to Sack Hunger during the 2025 football season.
Now in its fourth year, the initiative turns defensive plays on the field into meals for families facing hunger across the region.
For every sack by the Redhawks defense this season, Coalter Insurance, First Midwest Bank, Midwest Sterilization Corp., and Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo will each donate $100 to the food bank,
meaning each sack helps provide food for 1,600 meals.
Every $1 donated provides food for four meals to neighbors facing hunger. Last season, the Redhawks recorded 30 sacks, raising $15,000 to help fight hunger in southeast Missouri.
“We are proud to partner once again with Southeast Missouri Food Bank and our generous sponsors for the Sack Hunger campaign,” said SEMO Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations Nate Saverino. “Football fans love to see a big defensive play, and knowing that each sack will help feed families makes it even more special.”
Southeast Missouri Food Bank President and CEO Joey Keys said the campaign is a perfect example of teamwork on and off the field.
“We’re grateful to SEMO Athletics and our sponsors for keeping Sack Hunger going strong,” Keys said. “Every sack is more than just a statistic; it means more meals for neighbors who might otherwise go without.”
The food bank will host a Sack Hunger tailgate before SEMO’s home opener against North Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Fans purchasing game tickets through https://www.gofevo.com/event/SEMOFoodBankFB25 will also make a direct impact, with $5.73 from each ticket benefiting the food bank.
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 140 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 5,600 senior citizens and weekend backpacks of food during the school year to 1,100 students in area 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.