Missouri Rep. Jim Murphy, R-Oakville, hosted a drive-up food distribution event on Nov. 13 to combat the growing need for food in the South County area. The combination of the spring tornado, layoffs and furloughs of federal workers and the suspension of SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown has made St. Louis’ food crisis turn dire in recent months.
Murphy’s food distribution event took place in the parking lot of the South County Center, 18 S. County Center Way. A line of cars wound its way around the parking lot with trunks open, ready for food. Looking at that long line of vehicles, Murphy said, “Think there’s a need?”
Volunteers loaded attendees’ cars with milk, eggs and produce, along with other items like frozen pizzas and bags of dry goods filled with ramen, cereal, oats and more.
This was the second food distribution event that Murphy has hosted this month. Murphy’s first event — in collaboration with the Mehlville School District, Beth Boggs and Step It Up, Inc. — took place on Nov. 3 at Bernard Middle School; when supplies ran out early, Murphy was forced to turn away 100 cars. He says that this time his team doubled supplies in hopes of reaching more people.
