Jennings Hosts Major Holiday Food Distribution for Community Families Ahead of Winter Break 2025

On Dec. 17, 2025, the Jennings School District’s J-Town Food Market at 2545 Dorwood Drive hosted a major holiday food distribution supported by The Little Bit Foundation1  and Operation Food Search2 . The initiative aimed to make the holidays brighter for Jennings families and community member by helping fight food insecurities ahead of the long winter break. Funding for this event was provided in large part by the St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund.

Jennings Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paula D. Knight expressed excitement and appreciation for the collaboration and its impact on families during the winter break. “For many students and families across our region, long winter breaks bring devastating uncertainty—empty pantries, missed meals and the constant stress of not knowing where the next meal will come from. Food insecurity doesn’t pause when school is out; it deepens, affecting students’ health, learning and family stability. That’s why our partnerships with The Little Bit Foundation and Operation Food Search are so essential. Together, we are providing more than food—we are delivering stability, dignity and hope during the holidays. These partnerships are critical not only for the families we serve, but for the strength and well-being of the entire St. Louis region, because when our students and families are supported, our communities are stronger.”

As part of The Little Bit Foundation’s school partnership network, Jennings families received 200 fresh produce boxes and 480 generously-stocked food boxes filled with ingredients for multiple meals including shelf-stable meats, meal kits, pasta, milk cereal and a variety of healthy snack items. 

The Little Bit Foundation President and CEO Miranda Walker Jones (who also serves currently as school board president for the Jennings School District) said the organization worked closely with partners to reach families in multiple districts. “The Foundation has been working tirelessly with our partners to deliver food to students who attend our partner schools throughout the region,” Jones said. “In addition to Jennings, we provided meals for families in Riverview Gardens, Hancock Place and more.”

Jones added that the collaborative effort resulted in the distribution of 4,300 meal and produce kits in partnership with Operation Food Search. That total included a special distribution to North County partner schools and 1,500 meals through Little Bit’s Sunny’s Closet program, in addition to serving several hundred households through Little Bit’s Mobile Food Market in partnership with the St. Louis Area Food Bank.

“Together, our efforts supported approximately 8,000 families this week, helping ensure students returned after the holiday break nourished, supported and ready to learn,” Jones added.

Operation Food Search President and CEO Kristen Wild emphasized the urgency of the effort amid ongoing economic challenges. “Many are feeling the impact of rising costs,” Wild said. “The uncertainty around SNAP benefits and the lingering impacts of the May 16 tornado have put an added strain on family budgets. During a long winter break from district resources, these joint food distributions are a critical source of stability, relief and reassurance when it’s needed most.”

Individuals seeking additional information or interested in continuing to support the ongoing efforts of the J-Town Food Market, please contact Dr. Leon Hite at LHite@JenningsK12.org or 314-653-7810. 

1 About The Little Bit Foundation: Founded in 2001, the mission of The Little Bit Foundation (www.thelittlebitfoundation.org) is to break down barriers to learning for under-resourced students through partnerships and programs that serve the needs of the whole child and provide access to essential services and educational experiences. Embedded in 60+ school communities where 90-100% of students qualify for the free and reduced lunch program, our Whole Child Model spans across every grade level and addresses basic needs, provides health intervention and education, and expands academic and career exploration opportunities for 17,500+ students across the region. As we approach our 25th anniversary in 2026, we remain committed to supporting students throughout their educational journey so they can graduate and become contributing members of a stronger St. Louis community. Follow The Little Bit Foundation online at www.thelittlebitfoundation.org,on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.