Fighting hunger and food insecurity is a complex challenge that requires a combination of strategic approaches and collective efforts from various sources. One such source in the state of Mississippi is an organization named Extra Table which partners with food pantries across the state to fight both hunger and obesity by providing access to healthy meals for Mississippi’s most vulnerable residents. By making nutritious food available to individuals who may not know where their next meal will come from, Extra Table offers hope for a better tomorrow.  

Founded in 2009 by chef and restaurateur Robert St. John, the concept behind Extra Table is to connect food resources with agencies that serve vulnerable populations – food pantries, soup kitchens, etc. – and provide those agencies with a consistent supply of high-quality, healthy food. What sets Extra Table apart is its unique approach. Their team fundraises to purchase shelf-stable food at wholesale prices which is then distributed to 62 food partner agencies across the state. Because Extra Table is the only 100 percent privately funded food bank in Mississippi, every dollar donated for food is used to purchase food.   

Relationships with food distributors empower Extra Table to buy the freshest food available at the lowest price for the greatest number of people. Healthy items on the pantry food list include:  

• Lean proteins like chicken, tuna, and peanut butter. 

• Fruit with no sugar added.  

• Low sodium vegetables, soup, and pasta sauce. 

• Whole grains like oats, rice, pasta, and granola bars. 

Extra Table efficiently assists its pantry partners the entire year and provides hungry neighbors in Mississippi the food they desperately need. It’s a relatively simple concept that makes a big difference.  

Alleviating hunger in neighborhoods and schools is part of Atmos Energy’s Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities initiative, and supporting Extra Table is another extension of that commitment. Atmos Energy has partnered with Extra Table since 2018, sponsoring items like cereal, graham crackers, juice, nut butter, napkins, and plasticware for more than 85,000 “Power Up Snack” packs distributed to Extra Table’s food pantry partners – created and packed specifically for school-aged children.   

Atmos Energy employees also volunteer at the March of Mayors event, a statewide canned food drive driven by Mississippi mayors where each city collects a particular food item during the month of February. Our employees have been part of the Jackson area packing events the past few years. On March 5, Extra Table will host “Mississippi’s Largest Food Box Packing Party” to consolidate the donations from participating cities, and Atmos Energy will act as the northeast regional sponsor.  

“We are sincerely grateful to have partners like Atmos Energy,” said Extra Table Executive Director Martha Allen. “Their generous annual support allows us to remain mission-focused, serving quality food to our food insecure neighbors each month. Our communities grow stronger when fueled by partners with a shared goal of supporting Mississippians.”  

If you would like to contribute and learn more about Extra Table, visit extratable.org.