Missouri families are struggling to afford groceries. Here’s how you can help

As the pandemic rages on and inflation drives up prices, a lot of families in Missouri are having a hard time affording groceries.

In case you or someone you know may need some assistance or want to help out, The Star’s service journalism team reached out to Harvesters and The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri for guidance on what to donate and how to do it.

Where are the food banks?

Feeding Missouri has a list of food banks in the state here. Around the Kansas City area, you can search for a pantry near you with the Harvesters food locator. Both of these maps ask you to enter a ZIP code or address and then provide you with the closest options for food within a given mile radius.

What are food banks looking for?

Kate Adkins, the director of communication and marketing with The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, said donating money is the most effective way to support the food bank because of the purchasing power the bank has.

A dollar donation can help the food bank provide more than four meals to neighbors in their service area.

If you’re donating food, Adkins recommended items such as canned fruits and vegetables. They provide healthy nutrition while also being nonperishable and easier to distribute. Canned protein, peanut butter, beans, rice, cereal, soup and pasta are other items that they look for.

You can donate to The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri here or through Feeding Missouri here.

Sarah Biles, the director of communication at Harvesters, told The Star that people can support Kansas City pantries by donating nonperishable food items to Harvesters.

Some of the most requested items are:

▪ Canned meats and proteins

▪ Vegetables

▪ Fruit

▪ Cereal

▪ Boxed meals

▪ Hygiene items

Harvesters also accepts financial donations, as that allows the organization to purchase items that aren’t usually donated and gives them the opportunity to meet extra food and item demands.

You can donate money to Harvesters here and you can donate food directly to the organization or by dropping it off in one of the buckets outside many Kansas City grocery stores.

Both Harvesters and The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri are looking for volunteers to help with their programs.