SNAP, previously known as food stamps, is a federally-funded program that provides food to low-income families. SNAP will cease issuing benefits starting Saturday, November 1st due to the ongoing government shutdown. SNAP has historically supported over 13% of Jackson County residents, or 1 in 8 of our neighbors.

Across the nation, nearly 42 million Americans will be impacted by the pausing of SNAP benefits, including 650,000 Missourians and around 80,000 households in the KC metro area. This is an opportunity for the church to step in to help feed our neighbors (Psalm 146). 

Below you will find a variety of ways to support food access in Kansas City. Consider organizing your Microchurches to take action. 

How to Support Our Neighbors

Upcoming Volunteer Days in the Metro:

• November 12th: United Way - SNAP into Action: Meal Packing. 9-10:30am at Kinship Cafe, Independence, MO (If spots fill up, check back later as they are adding more days around the metro)

• Ongoing - Bundle packing by Full Hearts, Full Pantries

Food Distribution Sources to Volunteer Time:

• Kanbe’s Market - Diverts food waste & supplies many local food non-profits

• Harvesters - Collects and distributes food across the metro

• Nourish KC/Prospect KC - Food pantry & community kitchen

Food Pantries to Donate Food:

• Operation Breakthrough - Children’s programming & food pantry in Midtown 

• Cross-Lines Community Center - Pantry in KCK

• Grace United - Pantry in Northeast KC

• Coldwater - Pantry in Lee’s Summit

Food Drive Collection Locations:

• Nour’s - 10/28-11/26, Midtown

• Roots KC - 10/30-11/30, Westside, River Market, Zona Rosa

• Cafe Ca Phe - 11/1-11/30, Columbus Park

• UMKC (NU Epsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi) - 10/27-11/21, South Plaza

Food Distributors to Donate Money:

• United Way - SNAP into Action

• Harvesters 

• Hamer Free Food Program (Program explainer)

• KC Tenants Grocery Boxes

Resources For Those Impacted:

• Findhelp.org - Database to locate nearby food pantries

• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) - Government food assistance program that partners with local distributors (To apply, select “I am a participant/applicant” > “How to Apply, State distributing agency” > Select state on map > Reach out directly to “Program Contacts” via phone or email to get state-specific application info. Missouri info here.)

• Harvesters’ Food Locator

• Community Action Agency of Greater Kansas City - Pantry List

• KC Defender’s Free Food Resource Map

• KC Library’s Pantry List

Ideas for Microchurches

1. Pick a food pantry or food drive. Review their accepted donations. Have participants bring food donations to a Microchurch night. Pick a member to take all the donations to the pantry/drive during a designated drop-off time. 

2. Coordinate and schedule to volunteer as a microchurch with one of the food distributors. 

3. Attend a pre-planned volunteer day together. 

4. Pick a food distributor to collect funds and donate to together. 

5. Feel free to get creative and organize according to the needs of your neighborhood. 

6. Ensure the needs of your own Microchurch are met during this time!

Consider: Monetary donations to food banks are extremely helpful during this time, as a food bank can make that money go further through bulk purchases to buy exactly what they need.

To add a coordinated effort from our community, email Brooke at brooke98morgan@gmail.com