COLUMBIA — The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri will host its 31st annual Score Against Hunger fundraiser on Saturday during Mizzou football’s home game against Troy.
During the game, volunteers will go to different tailgating areas around the football stadium in hopes of soliciting donations and raising awareness.
“Every time we can get someone in to support our neighbors, that means more food that can packaged that can go out,” said Katie Adkins, the chief community relations officer for The Food Bank.
Adkins said she knows everyone who helps will see the generosity of the community.
“Food banking is challenging work at the best of times, and right now food is expensive, transportation is expensive,” Adkins said. “We’re really lucky in this community to have amazing supporters.”
Score Against Hunger began in 1994 under former Mizzou head coach Larry Smith and has grown into a major fundraising effort benefiting The Food Bank.
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The fundraiser was created one year after the Great Flood of 1993. This flood affected most of The Food Bank’s service area. The following year, Smith designated the entire football season as a fundraising campaign, now known as Score Against Hunger.
During the 2025 Score Against Hunger event, more than $15,000 was raised. This led to more than 46,000 meals.
Adkins said volunteers helped spread the word.
“It is fair to say that across our Score Against Hunger campaign last year, hundreds of people donated, and thousands shared their time through volunteering.”
In Mid-Missouri, roughly 1 in 7 residents face food insecurity, escalating to nearly 1 in 5 children. Boone County sits around 14.8% food insecurity.
The county with the highest level of food insecurity is Benton County. 2024 data from Feeding America showed 21.2% of people in Benton County are facing food insecurity, with 25.7% for kids.
Editor’s Note
KOMU 8 is a partner of The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri for the Score Against Hunger fundraiser.
