#GivingTuesday Raises Nearly $57,000 for Operation Food Search

ST. LOUIS - Dec. 1, 2016 - PRLog -- Operation Food Search (OFS) utilized this year's #GivingTuesday philanthropic event as an opportunity to increase awareness around childhood hunger and boost year-end donations.

Operation Food Search, a hunger relief organization that provides food to the area's hungry, raised $36,965 on #GivingTuesday.  Due to the generosity and support of Jeannie Iannello, donations were matched dollar for dollar up to $20,000, which resulted in a grand total of $56,965.  This amount was a 214% increase in donations from the previous year, and the money will be used to benefit Operation Food Search's programs and services.

This fifth annual global day of giving, which is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, kicks off the season for supporting individuals' favorite charities.  In conjunction with #GivingTuesday, OFS hosted its second annual "Rap 'N Pack" happy hour where more than 50 community members sorted coats for the agency's Warners' Warm-up coat drive.

"I learned that my company offered a two-for-one matching gift program for donations made to charities," said Iannello.  "I attended an Operation Food Search event and immediately became inspired with their mission."  Her donation of $7,500, combined with her employer match of $15,000, allowed all donations made on #GivingTuesday to be matched up to $20,000.  "It's a great day when you can pay it forward and make a difference in the lives of others."

"We never expected this type of success," said Operation Food Search Executive Director Sunny Schaefer.  "Our area will greatly benefit from the generosity of people like Jeannie and all of the contributing individuals, businesses and families who continue to support our mission."

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search (OFS) is a hunger relief organization that provides food and nutrition education.  With a strategic focus aimed at ending childhood hunger, OFS empowers families with a range of programs and services proven to reduce food insecurity and increase access to healthy and affordable food.

OFS helps feed more than 200,000 individuals on a monthly basis – one-third of which are children – through a network of 330 community partners in 31 Missouri and Illinois counties, as well as in the city of St. Louis.  For every dollar donated, OFS provides $21 worth of food and nutrition services to support the area's hungry.

Operation Food Search is located at 1644 Lotsie Blvd.  For more information, call (314) 726-5355 or visit www.OperationFoodSearch.org.