What can Kansas Citians do once SNAP is suspended? See food, volunteer options
One in 11 Missourians and Kansans gets help feeding their families from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. But more than 800,000 recipients in the two states, along with people across the country are expected to miss their food assistance starting on Saturday, Nov. 1.
There are ways to get food and help in the Kansas City area.
The SNAP suspension is expected to last as long as the government shutdown, which began Oct. 1. When the shutdown ends, Missouri Department of Social Services says it will restore SNAP benefits as soon as possible.
People can still use their October benefits on their EBT cards after the Oct. 31, though it is unclear if recipients will get retroactive SNAP funds.
The SNAP suspension leaves many people — primarily families, people with disabilities and seniors — low on food. Nonprofit organizations like Harvesters, faith groups, schools, businesses and individuals are working to fill the large gaps left by SNAP, also known as food stamps.
Kansas City area food bank Harvesters says for every meal their network provides, SNAP provides nine. Harvesters acts as a hub for food pantries in the Kansas City area: receiving pallets of food in its warehouse, repackaging the items and distributing them to shelters and soup kitchens.
In Missouri, the Department of Social Services published FAQs on the government shutdown’s effects on SNAP. Missouri WIC and TANF households will continue to receive benefits.
In Kansas, keep updated on the status of SNAP in the Sunflower State on the Department for Children and Families’ website. On Oct. 28, Gov. Laura Kelly joined a 25-state lawsuit alleging the Trump administration cannot stop food aid like SNAP. WIC and TANF services will still be available in Kansas.
In Wyandotte County, 17% of residents receive SNAP, along with 14% in Jackson County, 10% in Cass County, 8% in Clay, 5% in Platte and 4% in Johnson, according to 2016 data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau.
How can I find a food bank during SNAP suspension?
To find food in the Kansas City area, go to harvesters.org/get-food-assistance/food-locator. There, you can put in your ZIP code to see the pantries, drive-thru food pickups and kitchens in your area.
Here is a list of all the drive-thru food pickups happening in the next four weeks. These food distributions are located outside of community centers, churches, government buildings and schools.
In addition to organized, long-standing programs, there are other, nontraditional ways to get help in the Kansas City area:
- Look on your local Buy Nothing Facebook group or neighborhood Facebook page.
- Your school or college might have a small food pantry, like at UMKC, Metropolitan Community Colleges, Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Kansas Community College and Park University.
- Ask for money, rides or other help through KC Mutual Aid or Free Hot Soup Kansas City.
- Get a free kids meal at local restaurants like Peachtree Cafeteria, Ate 1 Six Food Truck, Lilly’s Cantina and Independence Taco John’s.
- Check a little free pantry, outdoor boxes stocked with food at houses or churches.
- KC Tenants is giving out weekly grocery boxes for tenant union members. They are hoping to expand to others if they can.
- Thelma’s Kitchen offers low-cost lunches, along with ways to pay it forward.
- Delivery companies DoorDash and GoPuff are offering one-time discounts for EBT customers.
What if I don’t have a car or can’t leave my house?
Many drive-thru food pickups also allow people to walk up, according to Harvesters. Bring a wagon, backpack or other carrier to transport the food.
If you don’t have transportation, call the Harvesters Customer Care Line at 877-653-9519 to get connected to an organization that provides home delivery.
I live elsewhere in Missouri or Kansas, where can I go?
For those outside of the Kansas City area, you can find food in your area with online tools. Go to the Feeding Missouri website or the Kansas Food Source website.
Where else can I find assistance?
If you need help affording housing, health care, clothes or anything else, look for resources on United Way’s website or call 211.
How can I help with SNAP being suspended?
For those able to help, there are many ways to support your neighbors.
Harvesters spokesperson Matt Hamer said, “There’s no shortage of need … so anything that you can do. It’s time that we can all join together and try to step up.”
You can send money to fulfill a mutual aid request, clean out your pantry and offer extra items on a buy nothing group, or ask your favorite local nonprofit how you can volunteer.
Here are four ways to help, according to Harvesters.
Donate money
Many agencies have agreements where they can buy food for less than it costs at stores. For example, Harvesters says for every dollar donated, they can help provide two meals.
Donate food
You can drop off food to your local food pantry or a Harvesters barrel in grocery stores. Harvesters says these are their most-requested items
- Canned vegetables (low sodium)
- Canned fruits in 100% juice
- Dried fruit (no added sugar preferred)
- Canned chicken, tuna, salmon (packed in water)
- Brown rice
- Whole grain pasta
- Dried beans or canned low sodium beans
- Peanut, almond, or sun butter
- Canned soup (chicken, tomato or vegetable)
- Cereal – hot and cold (whole grain, low sugar preferred)
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Toilet Paper
Volunteer
Find food pantries where you can volunteer on the Harvesters website.
If you need an activity for all ages, you can write cards for seniors to put in their food boxes or make reusable bags out of old T-shirts so people can carry their food home without plastic bags.
Advocate
Harvesters asks supporters to contact their Congress members to reopen the government. You can use Harvesters’ pre-filled form or find your representatives on BallotReady.org.
The Star’s Laura Bauer contributed to this report.
Did we miss anything? Contact the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published October 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM.
