Many families in the Ozarks are facing serious, immediate challenges because of the federal government shutdown and the suspension of SNAP benefits. Community Partnership of the Ozarks, United Way Ozarks Region, Community Foundation of the Ozarks and Darr Family Foundation are coordinating to connect people with immediate help — and to make it easy to support your neighbors.
If you can offer help:
- Donate shelf-stable food to established food pantries or community meal programs.
- Give financially to trusted local food programs, including Ozarks Food Harvest and community pantries. These nonprofits can make your dollar go further and select items that our community needs the most.
- Please note: Ozarks Food Harvest is the food bank serving much of the CFO region. Check this map for the food bank serving food pantries in your community.
- Volunteer your time to help sort, pack or distribute food.
- Organize a food or supply drive to support local organizations.
If you need help:
- For food and emergency resources, this list of food pantries, meal sites and other services is available now and will be updated frequently as more resources become available: cpozarks.org/resources
- Find a list of food pantries in other communities served by Ozarks Food Harvest: ozarksfoodharvest.org/need-help
- Call 2-1-1 to speak with a trained specialist who will connect you with local food assistance, emergency financial help, housing resources and more. This service is free and available 24/7.
Additional community support efforts are being organized, and information will be shared as more resources become available.
In the Ozarks, we take care of our neighbors. No one should feel alone at this moment. Help is available, and your support matters.
Sincerely,
Janet Dankert, president/CEO of Community Partnership of the Ozarks
Brandi VanAntwerp, president/CEO of United Way Ozarks Region
Winter Kinne, president/CEO of Community Foundation of the Ozarks
Heather Zoromski, executive director of Darr Family Foundation
