This list will be updated as new resources become available.
The Kansas City metro is home to more than 30,000 federal workers who are affected by what on Tuesday became the longest federal shutdown in history, reaching its 36th day. About half of federal employees are furloughed, and not receiving a paycheck.
The other half are considered essential workers. They are working, also without pay.
According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 11% of Missourians and 6% of Kansans receive SNAP benefits.
Adding to the hardship, recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which helps low-income families purchase food, faced the complete loss of that support when the Trump administration tried to freeze funds on Nov. 1.
Two federal judges ruled interrupting funding of the country's largest anti-hunger program was illegal and funding has been partially restored by tapping into federal contingency funds. But the administration has said only half the funding will be available, and distributions will come late.
Dustin Hare, the Economic Security Policy Advisor of Kansas Action for Children, told the Kansas News Service it's still unclear when funds will arrive, and when they do, how far they will go.
“If families receive half their food budget this month, then that means they're going to be able to eat for half the month, or roughly 15 days,” Hare said.
Kansas Appleseed is an advocacy nonprofit that lobbies for social justice and resources, including access to food, on behalf of Kansans. Haley Kotter of Kansas Appleseed says residents are already feeling pinched.
"Food pantries and the food banks have much longer lines, especially over the last couple weeks because people don't know when or if they'll receive their benefits,” she said.
Elizabeth Keever, Chief Resource Officer of the Harvesters Community Food Network, said Jackson County, Missouri, in particular, will be dramatically affected.
“There are 92,000 folks in that county who are on SNAP benefits, and the monthly distribution that is anticipated for that county alone is $19 million,” Keever said.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday that SNAP benefits would not resume until “Radical Left Democrats” reopen the government, a claim his press secretary walked back later in the day.
Here are some of the pantries and kitchens currently stepping up to serve those in need at this time.
Pantries — Missouri
Kansas City Health Department
- Where: Kansas City Health Department, 2400 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri, 64108
- Hours: 1:30 p.m. until supplies run out
- First Tuesday of each month
Bishop Sullivan Center
- Where: 3936 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
- Hours: Monday - Friday. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Brooking Heights Baptist
- Where: 9500 E. 53rd Street, Raytown, Missouri 64133
- Hours: Sunday 12:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- First and third Wednesdays: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. By appointment only
Community Christian Church
- Where: 4601 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64112
- Hours: Second and third Tuesday and Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m. - 11a.m.
Fairmount Community Center
- Where: 217 S. Cedar Avenue, Independence, Missouri 64052
- Hours: Monday 3:30-4:30 p.m. First and third Mondays
Guadalupe Center Inc.
- Where: 1512 Van Brunt Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64127
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jewish Family Services
- Where: 425 E. 63rd Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. By appointment only
Life Connection
- Where: 3883 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Independence, Missouri 64052
- Hours: Every third Saturday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Southside First Baptist Church
- Where: 2015 E. 50th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64130
- Hours: Wednesdays 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
St. Andrew United Methodist Church
- Where: 4601 Benton Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64130
- Hours: Wednesdays 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church
- Where: 4444 Woodland Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
- Hours: Fridays 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Saint James United Methodist Church
- Where: 5540 Wayne Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
- Hours: Second and third Wednesday each month, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Unity Southeast Kansas City
- Where: 3421 Meyer Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64132
- Hours: Sundays 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Kansas food pantries
Antioch Church Food Pantry
- Where: 5201 Antioch Road, Overland Park, Kansas, 66226
- Hours: Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Avenue of Life
- Where: 500 N. 7th Street Trafficway, Kansas City, Kansas 66101
- Hours: First and third Saturday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
Bridges of Hope
- Where: 933 Argentine Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas 66105
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Catholic Charities
- Where: 1708 Steele Road, Kansas City, Kansas 66106
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Church of the Resurrection Overland Park
- Where: 8412 W. 95th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66212
- Hours: Wednesday 9.a.m. - 12:0 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Immanuel Community Outreach Association
- Where: 3232 Metropolitan Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66106
- Hours: Tuesdays 9 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Johnson County Community College (students)
- Where: 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kansas 66210
CAV Cupboard Food Pantry - Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Kansas City Dream Center
- Where: 1500 Central Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66102
- Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. By appointment only
Mission Community Food Pantry
- Where: 5601 W. 62nd Street, Mission, Kansas 66202
- Hours: Second Thursday, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
ReNewed Hope Food Pantry
- Where: 8714 Antioch Road, Overland Park, Kansas 66212
- Hours: Tuesdays 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Santa Fe Waystation
- Where: 6422 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66202
- Hours: Mondays 9 a.m.-11 a.m., 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
The Hub
- Where: 3730 Metropolitan Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66106
- Hours: Tuesday 9 a.m.-12 p.m., second Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Our Savior Lutheran Church
- Where: 4153 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas 66103
- Hours: Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Drive through only
Village Initiative Inc.
- Where: 3004 N. 27th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66104
- Hours: Second and fourth Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
You can find a full list of food assistance options on the Harvesters website.
Meals
- Adults get discounts. Kids eat free.
- Where: Any local Hy-Vee grocery store with hot food service.
- Hours: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. from Nov. 3-7
- Kids eat free
- Where: 505 E. Walnut Street, Raymore, Missouri 64083
- Hours: Tuesday - Friday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Kids eat free
- Where: 6800 Eastwood Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri 64129
- Hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Where: 750 The Paseo, Kansas City, Missouri 64106
- Hours: Monday - Friday. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Kids eat free
- 3101 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64109
- Hours: Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
