4‑H leaders report expanded soup meal program and county office food‑drive in St. Francois County

Casey Amston, a 4‑H leader at the University of Missouri Extension office in St. Francois County, told county commissioners that the 4‑H “Soup, There It Is” project served 250 meals last year and aimed to expand to 450 servings this year after a grant request failed.

Amston outlined a locality‑wide volunteer effort: 26 volunteers logged more than 100 hours, about 20 youth helped roll dumplings, and a network of faith and community partners provided supplies and distribution points. She credited donations from the St. Francois County Rotary Club ($500), Unico Bank (Bismar, $350), local Walmart stores (gift cards), and several churches and pantries for filling the funding gap.

“For every meal we served we also distributed a bag of canned goods and an extra can of soup,” Amston said, describing deliveries to community sites including a shelter and apartment complexes. She said St. Joe Catholic School allowed the program to use its kitchen for meal prep and that 4‑H youth learned life skills—kneading dough, rolling dumplings and basic food preparation—during the event.

Amston announced a county‑office food‑drive competition intended to increase canned‑goods collection; the clerk’s office finished first after contributions from several county offices. Commissioners and staff praised volunteers and encouraged continued expansion of the program next year.

The commission did not take formal action tied to the presentation; Amston asked commissioners and the public to help spread word of future events and volunteer opportunities.