Kicking Hunger to the Curb: Lebanon Comes Together to Help Feed Its Neighbors

For many families in Laclede County, putting food on the table isn’t always easy. Between rising household expenses, unexpected emergencies, and the everyday cost of living, even families with steady employment can find themselves struggling to make ends meet.

But here in Lebanon, there’s something that continues to make a difference: neighbors helping neighbors.

That’s the idea behind Kicking Hunger to the Curb, a community fundraising initiative led by Pastor Kelly Rhoades that brings together local businesses, churches, schools, and individuals to support five food pantries serving Laclede County residents.

During Lebanon Now’s October Community Needs feature, Melinda Fries, administrator of the Lebanon Area Foundation and Community Cares, sat down with Rhoades to discuss the campaign, the growing need for food assistance, and an opportunity to double the impact of local donations.

From Football to Fighting Hunger

The idea began during college football trips Rhoades took with his son, Rhett. He noticed programs where fans donated money whenever their team recorded a sack or kicked a field goal.

With Rhett kicking and Lebanon’s enthusiasm for football, Rhoades wondered how he could bring a similar idea home.

But he wanted to involve more than football fans. He envisioned a community wide effort that would give everyone an opportunity to participate.

Last year, through contributions from individuals, churches, businesses, and a social media campaign, Kicking Hunger to the Curb raised nearly $9,000.

This year, the campaign has an even bigger opportunity.

An anonymous donor has pledged to match contributions dollar for dollar, up to $20,000. If the community raises $20,000, the donor will contribute another $20,000, bringing the total to $40,000.

And those dollars can go a long way.

Through partnerships with Ozarks Food Harvest, participating food pantries can purchase groceries at significantly reduced costs. According to Rhoades, $10 can provide approximately 50 meals.

That means a $5 donation, when matched, could help provide 50 meals to neighbors in need.

Hunger Doesn’t Always Look the Way You Think

One of the most important messages Rhoades and Fries shared was that food insecurity doesn’t always look the way people imagine.

It can affect a coworker, a neighbor, a classmate, or someone sitting next to you at church.

Rhoades shared that approximately 6,529 Laclede County residents live below the poverty line. Many families receiving assistance are employed, sometimes working multiple jobs, but still struggle to cover basic expenses.

He shared a personal example from last year when three vehicles in his family needed replacement transmissions.

Despite maintaining their vehicles, the unexpected repairs created significant financial strain.

For families already living paycheck to paycheck, an unexpected expense like that can mean choosing between groceries, utilities, transportation, or medication.

Fries explained that food assistance can relieve some of that pressure, allowing families to use their limited resources for other necessities.

And sometimes, that assistance is only needed for a short time.

Rhoades shared that The Market at LifePoint served 14,289 unique individuals last year, with many needing assistance only once or twice while working through a difficult period.

His message to anyone struggling was simple: reach out.

Food pantries aren’t there to judge someone’s circumstances. They’re there to help people get through difficult times.

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Five Food Pantries, One Community

Kicking Hunger to the Curb supports five local organizations:

The Market at LifePointCrosslines MinistryL-Life Food PantryThe Salvation ArmyThe Hive Depot at Hillcrest School

All five partner with Ozarks Food Harvest, allowing donations to stretch further through its food distribution network.

The locations also help make food assistance accessible throughout Lebanon, particularly for residents without reliable transportation.

The Hive Depot serves an especially important role in helping local students experiencing food insecurity. Eligible Lebanon R-3 students can receive assistance through the school pantry, even if they don’t attend Hillcrest.

Rhoades and Fries also explained that food pantries provide more than groceries.

They frequently connect people with employment opportunities, transportation assistance, and other community resources.

For someone unfamiliar with the help available locally, those connections can make a significant difference.

Making Sure Every Dollar Counts

The campaign works directly with the Lebanon Area Foundation to ensure donations are handled transparently.

All contributions are collected through the foundation and maintained in a designated account.

When the campaign concludes on November 13, the foundation will report the amount raised to the anonymous donor, who will provide matching funds up to $20,000.

The foundation will then distribute the money through Ozarks Food Harvest, with separate payments designated for each participating pantry.

The funds are restricted to food purchases through those accounts.

Fries explained that this process provides accountability while ensuring the donations benefit the intended organizations.

Contributions made through the foundation are also tax-deductible.

How You Can Help

Donations are being accepted through November 13, 2026, and can be dropped off at:

LifePoint Offices158 North Adams Avenue, Lebanon

Lebanon Area FoundationInside the Cowan Civic Center, Lebanon

Checks should be made payable to the Lebanon Area Foundation, with “Kicking Hunger to the Curb” written in the memo line.

Online donations are also available through the campaign’s donation link or QR code.

Rhoades noted that dropping off donations directly avoids online processing fees, allowing the full contribution to support the campaign.

Businesses, churches, families, and individuals are all encouraged to participate.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Throughout their conversation, Rhoades and Fries returned to one important idea, hunger isn’t just an individual problem. It’s something the entire community can work together to address.

Rhoades believes the campaign serves two purposes. The first is raising money to feed people. The second is giving everyone an opportunity to help their neighbors.

Fries described those who contribute, regardless of the amount, as “everyday philanthropists.”

It’s a reminder that making a difference doesn’t require extraordinary wealth or a large donation.

Sometimes it takes just a few dollars, a willingness to participate, or sharing information with someone who needs assistance.

And for those currently struggling, Rhoades and Fries emphasized another important message.

There is no shame in needing help.

The people receiving assistance are our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, friends, and families. They’re the people we encounter every day.

Last year, Lebanon came together to raise nearly $9,000. This year, the community has an opportunity to turn $20,000 in donations into $40,000 for local hunger relief.

Behind every dollar is something more important than a fundraising total. It’s a family with groceries in the kitchen, a child who doesn’t have to worry about their next meal, or a neighbor who can get through a difficult month without choosing between food and another necessity.

Because sometimes the biggest difference we can make in someone’s life is simply making sure they have enough to eat.