Agencies ask for help filling the food gap if SNAP benefits end Saturday

Nonprofit organizations in the area are stepping up to meet additional demands for food that are expected when those relying on SNAP don’t receive payments in November.

WIC (Women Infants & Children) funding and Headstart schools are also expected to be impacted by the federal shutdown.

Jesse DeGonia, director of Webb City CARES, said snack packs will be packed with extra food items. In particular, he said there is a need for jars of peanut butter.

If you would like to donate to families, DeGonia suggests either Samaritan’s Basket at Frisco Church, 908 W. Daugherty St., or Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s food bank, 909 N. Madison St.

If you or someone you know needs additional assistance or information, go to One Joplin or the United Way.

According to a joint press release by local agencies, more than 12% of southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas residents – an estimated 48,000 people –  receive some type of food support each month.

On average, SNAP benefits alone provide about $400 per household per month in food support.

Even if the shutdown ends soon, funding is not expected to resume until December, at the earliest.

How to Help

• Check out an up-to-date local resource directory, which includes food pantry locations, available online at https://www.onejoplin.com/food.
• If you are able, support local food pantries with donations of food or gift cards, financial donations, or volunteering–giving links are provided for many of the local pantries.
• Employers are encouraged to check with employees for impact and share resource information or giving opportunities.
• If you’d like posters to hang up around your work or other community areas, email contact@unitedwaymokan.org.
• If you want to host a food drive, please partner with of a local agency to determine specific needs. Please remember these pantries are experiencing very high demand and you may need to coordinate delivery of food to the location.