A SENIOR MOMENT

OFS’s MetroMarket announces new community collaboration

St. Louis MetroMarket, a “farmers market on wheels” from Operation Food Search (OFS), has announced a new collaboration with Dierbergs Markets and Mercy. Together, they are adding a new stop for the retrofitted metro bus’s route at the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center of Excellence in Ferguson that will bring fresh produce to communities lacking easy access to healthy options.

MetroMarket’s bus operates every Wednesday through Saturday, May through November, making two-hour stops at locations throughout the region. Fresh, affordable produce is carefully selected based on nutritional value and customers’ preferences, then brought directly to designated sites in the community.

“OFS acquired MetroMarket in November 2021 with a goal of expanding the program to reach more people,” said Kristen Wild, President and CEO of OFS. “Working with Dierbergs Markets and Mercy has allowed us to make a great leap forward right at the beginning of the season.”

A recent study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Health demonstrates the association between food insecurity and the likelihood of forgoing important medical care. Mercy and Dierbergs’ collaboration will help support the complete operational needs of adding a new stop in Ferguson, including vouchers for Mercy patients that can be used toward products on MetroMarket. “Offering opportunities to tackle food insecurity is a very important priority for us,” said Laura Dierberg Padousis, executive vice president for Dierbergs Markets. “This unique collaboration creates a positive step toward that effort, and provides healthy and essential food options.”

“Access to healthy food is one of the Social Determinants of Health and a known barrier for some patients,” said Dr. Ray Weick, president of Mercy Clinic St. Louis and South divisions. “St. Louis MetroMarket’s stops in Ferguson will help address this gap and we hope it will make a positive difference in the lives of our patients and the community we serve.”

St. Louis MetroMarket has been in operation since 2016 and served almost 34,000 people in 2021. The organization became a part of long-time partner Operation Food Search as a way of expanding service to the community. In addition to new stops and partnerships, they are offering increased programming that includes recipe tastings, nutrition education, and other community nutrition offerings.

The Greater North County Chamber of Commerce will host its 2022 Scholarship Bowl

The Greater North County Chamber of Commerce will host its 2022 Scholarship Bowl on Aug. 4, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Crest Bowl at 650 N. Florissant Road in Florissant. Presenting sponsor for the event is Taste in Ferguson hosted by Angels At Work.

The proceeds from the Scholarship Bowl fund the chamber’s scholarship program which annually awards scholarships to area high school seniors. In 2022, the chamber gave out five $1,000 academic awards, and one $1,000 perseverance award. The 2022 Scholarship Award winners were Breanna Booth, Incarnate Word Academy; Jordan K. Dixon, Hazelwood West High School; Marena Keys, Jennings High School; Jared Strickland, Hazelwood Central High School and Angelina Viviano, Hazelwood West High School. The Perseverance Award was awarded to LaShea Shelton, Parkway North High School.

The chamber partnered with the Florissant Valley Jaycees to award a $1,000 scholarship to a student that demonstrated excellence in service to the community. This student was Purity Peace Muiruri, Hazelwood West High School.

Jacob’s Ladder also partnered with the chamber and awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Arissa Ford, Riverview Gardens School District.

A team of six bowlers is $175, which includes three games, shoes, pizza and unlimited refills on soft drinks.

Sponsorships are available: Strike Sponsor, $350, which includes team of six bowlers; Drink Sponsor, $150; Lane Sponsor, $100.

For more information on sponsorships or to register to bowl, call the chamber office at 314-831 3500 or visit www.gnccstl.com.

THIS WEEK’S PICK

A plaque dedication for labor-leader couple is set for July 27 in Florissant

The city of Florissant and Florissant Old Town Partners will hold a plaque dedication in honor of the late Harold “Bud” and Bernice Foley. This will be the 52nd Walk Through History plaque in honor of someone that have made valuable contributions to the city of Florissant or someone with Florissant roots that has impacted our community.

The ceremony will be held on July 27 at 5:30 p.m. directly across from Florissant City Hall. The plaque dedication will take place before the start of the third Wednesday Night Out festivities which will be a washer tournament located in front of 717 rue St. Francois.

Food will be provided by Mann Meats and drinks by BJ’s Bar. The sponsors for this event are: American Family Insurance - Paul Manganelli who is the Ward 2 Councilman, Patrick Mulcahy Ward 6 Councilman, CNB St. Louis Bank and Dogs on Duty.

Harold “Bud” Foley was a labor leader and the state’s most decorated veteran of World War II. He had received two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Starts, seven Battle Stars, three Presidential Citations and the Croix de Guerre from France.

Bud was President of the St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council and Business Manager of Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 562. He had been a member of the plumbers and pipefitters union for 42 years, rising from a journeyman pipefitter to various offices within the union. Besides holding the position of business manager, he also had been a business agent and secretary-treasurer. Bud was known for his skill in getting labor and management to communicate with each other.

Bud also served as a councilman from 1952 to 1957. Bud and his wife Bernice founded the Florissant Township & Democratic Club where Bud served as the committeeman and his wife as the committeewoman.