OUR MISSION
Operation Blessing provides regular and emergency food supplies to low-income households. We also provide clothing, hygiene items, toys, books, and small household items when available, thanks to community donations.
SLAFB Partnership
Operation Blessing works with the St. Louis Area Foodbank (SLAFB) to provide high-quality, nutritious food. Some of these products are free through federal programs, but other items are purchased through generous community donations. SLAFB delivers twice each month to help keep us stocked.
Items not supplied through SLAFB are purchased from other local suppliers. Prices are regularly checked and compared to make sure our funds are used efficiently.
Who we serve
Operation Blessing serves three Madison County townships: Fort Russell, Chouteau, and Wood River, which include the communities of Bethalto, Cottage Hills, East Alton, Hartford, Moro, Roxana, South Roxana, and Wood River. Illinois residents outside these communities are provided the products received from the SLAFB under The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
Senior Boxes
Operation Blessing provides nutrient-rich foods to seniors through SLAFB’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
Individuals must be 60 years old and have a household income below 185 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify. Each box contains shelf-stable items of vegetables, proteins, juices, powdered milk, dry beans, etc. A package of cheese, which needs refrigeration, is also provided.
OUR OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Karen Wilson since 2018
BOARD OFFICERS
President Mayor Joe Silkwood since 2016
Vice President Robert LaMarsh since 2020
Secretary Robin Karpan since 2020
Treasurer Dr. Judith Lincoln since 1995
BOARD MEMBERS
Mayor Frank Akers since 1996
Rev. Dr. Cary L Beckwith since 2018
Martha A. Green since 2019
Debbie Hagen since 2025
Paul Roberts since 2018
Mayor Tom Stalcup since 2024
Don Van Allman since 2015
Gail Wallace since 2025
OUR HISTORY
From $500 to an estimated 4 million meals
Virginia Kirkpatrick started collecting food and clothing from her friends because she noted the increase in her neighbors in dire need due to unemployment with the closure of Owens-Illinois Glass in Alton and other industries. It began with plywood on sawhorses in her garage to distribute what she collected. Her husband, Ned, gave her $500 to start what became Operation Blessing, a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization in 1982. Outgrowing the sawhorses and plywood and two other locations, Operation Blessing purchased the present building on East Lorena Avenue in Wood River in 1996. Over the years, it is estimated that enough food was provided to serve an estimated 4 million meals, averaging 100,000 per year.
Come see us, give us a call, or send us a message!
