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November 10, 2025:

The shutdown is now on day 41. There were back and forth federal court rulings regarding SNAP benefits over the weekend. Currently, a federal appeals court has refused for a second time to block an order by a lower court telling the administration to pay full SNAP benefits to participants.

Prior to the rulings this weekend, Kansas moved forward and issued full benefits to recipients. Missouri announced it was working on issuing partial benefits but was waiting for clear direction from the federal government before sending out any payments.

While the issue wages in the courts, Harvesters’ network of partners is seeing an overwhelming increase in need. Many partners are reporting the number of people seeking food assistance has doubled over the last week. Lines are long and some places have run out of food and had to turn people away.

Last week, Harvesters announced it was investing $500,000 in food and household items for network partners.

The community has stepped up to help in a big way! We are so grateful for all of those who have donated food, time and money! Ongoing support is needed to help keep our partners stocked and get food to every neighbor who needs it.

Where to Get Help

If you or someone you know needs food assistance, Harvesters is here to help. Here’s where to start:

1. Use our Food Locator
Enter your ZIP code in our Food Locator to find food pantries, kitchens, and mobile distributions near you. This is the quickest way to see options in your area.

Important: Always double check hours before heading out to a distribution—dates, times, and locations may change as we update information regularly.

2. Visit our FAQ Page
Have questions? Our FAQ page explains how food assistance works, what to expect when visiting a food pantry, and other helpful tips.

Give Food

You can make a big difference by donating nonperishable food. Here’s where you can take your donations:

Harvesters: Drop off your donations at our Kansas City or Lawrence facilities during normal business hours.

Partner Agencies: You can also take food donations directly to one of our partner agencies in your area.

Local Grocery Stores: Look for Harvesters donation barrels at Price Chopper, Hy-Vee, and Dillons stores—you can drop off items while you shop!

Every can, box, and bag adds up to hope for someone in need.

Give Voice

As a supporter of Harvesters, we invite you to contact your members of Congress and urge them to work together to reopen the federal government for the sake of families, workers, and communities who are feeling the impact.

Across the 27 counties we serve, more than 40,000 federal employees are affected. Your voice can help bring attention to the real people behind these numbers.

Use our quick tool to quickly contact your members of Congress now. Your message will automatically be delivered to your lawmakers. You can send the prepared message as-is or personalize it to share why this issue matters to you and our community.

Give Money

Your gift makes a powerful difference. For every $1 donated, Harvesters can help provide two nutritious meals to families in need.

These meals mean more than food—they mean focus for a child at school, strength for a mom working the night shift, and stability for a senior choosing between groceries and medicine. Your generosity truly transforms lives.

You can make a one-time gift or become a monthly donor to help ensure our neighbors have consistent access to the food and support they need.

Give Time

From sorting and packing food in our warehouses to serving meals and distributing groceries, every task, big or small, makes a lasting difference in the lives of your neighbors. Thank you for sharing your time and talents to help feed our community.

Volunteer Requirements:

• Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older for all onsite shifts at Harvesters.
• All volunteers are required to complete a liability waiver before volunteering.
• Minors must have the waiver signed by a parent or authorized guardian.

Ready to get started?