Who's Who 2012 - Amanda Winschel

One in four children in Southeast Missouri go to bed hungry. As children's programs manager for Southeast Missouri Food Bank, Amanda Winschel is working to change that, and she's passionate about her mission. "I love knowing that I am truly making a difference," she says. "When a child says, 'I am not going to go to bed hungry this weekend because of you,' then I know I am making a difference." She's doing everything in her power to feed hungry children in Southeast Missouri; with a limited staff, Winschel and the food bank are able to distribute millions of pounds of food every year. The Oak Ridge native lives in Perryville, Mo., with her husband Neil and 3-year-old son Noah.

__How is your career field growing or changing?__

Childhood hunger in Southeast Missouri is real. The need for food assistance is on the rise. The food bank's child feeding programs are growing to meet the needs of children in this down economy by increasing (the number of) children receiving backpacks of food and new and creative ways to address child hunger -- for example, the ABC School Based Pantry Program.

__What inspires you?__

Teachers. Not only are they making sure children have education, they make sure they are not going to bed hungry and will do whatever they can to accomplish that.

__What community issue is most important to you and why?__

Of course, feeding hungry children. One in 4 children in Southeast Missouri go to bed hungry. When children experience even occasional hunger, they have trouble concentrating. Providing food to these children helps them learn and grow into stronger, healthier and more productive citizens. The problem isn't finding enough food; the problem is getting the food to the people who need it most.