Champale Anderson Is Feeding Hope — One Bag at a Time in St. Louis

In North St. Louis, Missouri, one woman’s generosity is quietly transforming her community. Champale Anderson, a mother of six, has spent the past five years opening her door — and her heart — to local children in need of a good meal. Every day after school, kids line up outside her home to receive a free snack bag filled with sandwiches, fruit, juice, and small treats.

According to Fox 2 News (St. Louis), Anderson began the project when she realized how many children in her neighborhood were coming home hungry. “I’m just trying to help the kids that don’t have enough at home or are just hungry after school,” Anderson explained on her GoFundMe page. “I’ve been doing this out of my own money and I’m just reaching out.”

Outside her modest home, a handwritten sign reads:
“Champ Tears Drops, free snacks anytime. Donations welcome.”

The Power of One Woman’s Kindness

Anderson’s program began as a simple act of compassion. But over time, it evolved into a vital community effort. Each day, she prepares around 100 snack bags, often using her own paycheck from her job as a healthcare worker. Inside the bags, she includes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, cookies, fruit, and juice — along with what she calls “a few surprises for my special babies.”

When the school bus pulls up in the afternoon, children rush toward her house, eager to see what’s inside that day’s bags. “Some of the parents even come with their kids because they know it’s not just food — it’s love,” Anderson told People Magazine in an interview.

Anderson’s mission goes beyond just filling stomachs. It’s about providing comfort, dignity, and hope in a neighborhood where food insecurity remains a persistent issue. According to Feeding America, over 13 million children in the U.S. live in food-insecure households, meaning they don’t always know where their next meal will come from (FeedingAmerica.org).

Turning Compassion Into Community Change

Anderson’s efforts gained national attention in 2019 when her story went viral on social media and local news outlets. Her GoFundMe campaign — launched to help sustain and expand her snack program — raised thousands of dollars in donations from across the country. Many supporters said they were inspired by her example of selflessness during a time when kindness often feels in short supply (CNN).

Her dream is to one day expand her project into a mobile snack van that can reach more children across St. Louis. “I want to go where the kids are — to make sure nobody goes hungry,” she said.

A Ripple Effect of Kindness

While 100 snack bags a day may seem like a small gesture, Anderson’s work has created a ripple effect of generosity and awareness. Neighbors have begun donating food and supplies, and even local schools have reached out to collaborate.

In a city where poverty and hunger remain major challenges, her example shows how one person’s compassion can inspire an entire community. “Sometimes,” she said, “you just need somebody to care.”

Her ongoing efforts remind us that change doesn’t always come from large organizations or government programs — it can start with one woman, one kitchen, and one sandwich at a time.

Champale Anderson — because of you, we can.