While addressing the immediate, urgent needs of our 28-county service area, Ozarks Food Harvest is also looking toward the future and the long-term impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Poverty and food insecurity rates are on the rise, and we’re committed to helping the community persevere through what’s to come.
We’re facing significant changes in our operations to continue meeting the rising needs of the community, and we need your help to continue providing food to families in need over the next several months. Scroll down to learn more.
Federal Shutdown Response
During the 2025 shutdown, Ozarks Food Harvest worked swiftly to get our neighbors the help they needed in a time of uncertainty. Ozarks Food Harvest responded to the shutdown by purchasing $500,000 worth of additional food, releasing $300,000 in grant funds to our network of charities, continuing to deliver food, free of charge, to its network of charities and hosting free grocery giveaways for federal employees in our 28-county service area who were impacted by the government shutdown.
The Food Bank hosted grocery giveaways for federal workers on Oct. 18, Oct. 23, Nov. 8 and Nov. 10 to help these individuals and families make ends meet. Many of them had never needed food assistance before.
We are monitoring the 2026 shutdown. Visit the “Latest Updates” tab or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates.
We and our network of faith-based and community charities remain committed to helping our neighbors access nutritious food. Visit our Need Help page to find help near you.
LATEST UPDATES
Feb. 4, 2026 – On Feb. 3, the House of Representatives passed a spending package to fund most of the federal government through September 2026, which was then signed by President Trump. The spending package ends the partial government shutdown that began on January 31 and extends funding for the Deptartment of Homeland Security through February 13, 2026.
Feb. 2, 2026 – On Friday, January 30, the Senate passed a spending package to fund most of the government until September 2026, with the exception of a two-week extension for one remaining department. The package now goes to the House of Representatives for approval, where voting is expected to happen early this week. We are monitoring the situation. In the meantime, our network continues to be here for anyone seeking food assistance in southwest Missouri.
Jan. 31, 2026 – The spending package signed by President Trump in November funded most federal departments through January 30, 2026, with the exception of the USDA which is funded through September 30, 2026. A partial shutdown began on Saturday, January 31, when Congress did not come to an agreement on how to fund the remaining departments by the January 30th deadline. Because the USDA is funded through September, programs like SNAP and WIC will not be impacted at this time. We are closely monitoring the situation and how it may impact federal workers and their families in southwest Missouri.
Nov. 13, 2025 – On Nov. 12, President Donald Trump signed a passed spending package to reopen the federal government. The package funds federal food and nutrition programs like SNAP, WIC and TEFAP – curcial safety net programs for people facing hunger – through September 30, 2026. But other federal departments are only funded until January 30, 2026.
Ending the shutdown is good news, but it’s not the finish line. Even before the shutdown, food insecurity rates were at a 10-year high. Now, federal workers have had to make tough choices like draining their savings to pay for rent or gas, and it remains uncertain when households will receive their full SNAP benefits to help pay for food.
If a long-term funding deal is not reached by January 30, many civilian and military federal workers and employees of federal contractors will again face potential paycheck distruptions.
We’re so grateful for the generosity Missourians have shown, but the increased demand won’t slow down over night. It will take time for families to get back on their feet. We expect the increased need to continue as we head into the holiday season, especially as utility bills rise. We and our network of charities will keep showing up, but we can’t do it alone. If you’re in a position to help, you can donate time, money and food to Ozarks Food Harvest or your local trusted food pantry.
Nov. 12, 2025 – Missouri’s DSS has confirmed that partial distribution of SNAP benefits should begin around Wednesday this week. However, when benefits will be received, who will receive them and how far they’ll stretch all remain uncertain. Updates regarding SNAP can be found on the Missouri DSS website.
The U.S. Senate passed a bill on Nov. 10 to temporarily end the shutdown, but the bill must still pass in the House of Representatives and receive the President’s sign-off before it can take effect. Voting in the House could take place on Nov. 12 at the earliest but is expected to be delayed due to continuing negotiations and airline delays as representatives travel back to D.C.
Ending the federal shutdown would be good news, but it won’t be the finish line. We will continue to feel the ripple effects of the shutdown for weeks, or even months. Many federal workers will need time and assistance to recover from weeks with no paycheck, and folks who access SNAP still don’t know when they’ll receive their full benefits.
The Food Bank will need the community’s help to make sure families have the food they need in the coming months, especially with the holidays approaching. Learn how you can help at the bottom of this page.
Nov. 10, 2025 – Ozarks Food Harvest holds its fourth pop-up grocery distribution for federal workers.
Nov. 8, 2025 – Ozarks Food Harvest holds its third pop-up grocery distribution for federal workers.
Nov. 7, 2025 – Families still don’t know when they will receive their SNAP benefits. People who expected their SNAP benefits in the first week of November haven’t received them and must find ways to make up the difference. Ozarks Food Harvest expects more people to need help as they receive fewer or delayed SNAP benefits. Federal workers continue to go without paychecks, and many of these families are visiting our hunger-relief network for the first time.
Nov. 5, 2025 – This federal shutdown becomes the longest in history.
Nov. 3, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it plans to distribute only partial SNAP benefits for November. More than 135,000 people in our service area rely on SNAP to afford their groceries, and now these folks will have to find a way to make up that difference. On top of that, federal workers continue to go without paychecks. That means thousands of southwest Missouri families will be choosing between heating bills or buying food this November.
Ozarks Food Harvest is responding to the government shutdown at a disaster-level scale by purchasing $500,000 of additional food and releasing $300,000 in grants to help our partner charities serve more families.
Oct. 31, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it plans to distribute only partial SNAP benefits for November. More than 135,000 people in our service area rely on SNAP to afford their groceries, and now these folks will have to find a way to make up that difference.
Oct. 23, 2025 – Ozarks Food Harvest holds its second pop-up grocery distribution for federal workers.
Oct. 20, 2025 – The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announces that SNAP benefits will be frozen starting Nov. 1 if the federal shutdown continues. This critical safety net helps working families, seniors and people with disabilities access food when budgets are tight. For every 1 meal Ozarks Food Harvest provides, SNAP provides 9. More than 135,000 people in our service area access SNAP benefits. If these people don’t receive the benefits that help them get food, we predict an increase in demand for food assistance so they can fill the gap.
SNAP benefits are frozen until the shutdown ends. DSS will continue to process SNAP applications, so people can still apply for SNAP, but benefits will not be issued until after the shutdown ends.
Oct. 18, 2025 – Ozarks Food Harvest holds its first pop-up grocery distribution for federal workers.
Oct. 15, 2025 – Federal workers miss their first paycheck. President Trump orders the war secretary to repurpose funds so active-duty military members will be paid. The future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) becomes uncertain. If the shutdown lasts beyond Oct. 31, SNAP benefits will be frozen.
Oct. 1, 2025 – Federal shutdown begins. Until lawmakers pass a new budget, many federal operations will halt, and federal workers, federal contractors and active-duty military will be furloughed or work without pay. Federal nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC expected to continue to operate as normal through October.
Our network of faith-based and community charities are open and ready to help you get the food you need. Hours and services may vary, so please contact your chosen food pantry or meal program to get the latest information before you visit.
Find A Food Pantry
Apply for SNAP through our hotline at 417-429-0853. We’re happy to help you!
“My husband is a federal employee that is furloughed because of the government shutdown. We have five children total, three at home, two of them are adopted. And this really helps take the strain off us being able to feed the kids, considering that money is tight and things are more expensive than ever. We really appreciate the help. There is a lot of good people out there and a lot of resources that are eager to jump in and help when things like this happen. Thank you for your time.”
– Shelly
“I just wanted to say thank you so much for the food you gave us this week. We are a family of four – federal workers – and this food just came at the right time. Thank you so much. You were exactly what we needed at just the right time.”
– Cheryl
“Hi, I wanted to express my appreciation from the bottom of my heart and my family’s. I work for the Fed Med and recently received a donation of food pick-up, and it was greatly appreciated. It has helped bridge the gap as we are not having income during the government shutdown. And I am a government worker. Your generosity, your warm welcoming faces and your giving hearts are appreciated more than you know. God bless. Thank you.”
– anonymous federal worker
“This food helps a lot, especially with the government shutdown and it’s hard to buy groceries these days because of the price.”
– anonymous federal worker
How to help
Funds are the most effective way to help us end hunger for our neighbors in southwest Missouri because:
- The Food Bank can stretch monetary donations further to feed more people.
- Food banks like Ozarks Food Harvest can purchase food in bulk for lower prices.
- Food donations from retailers and food drives vary. Money allows us to purchase the food that’s needed most to fill the gaps.
- Purchasing food ensures we provide the items people want and need, reducing food waste.
- Dollars help cover transportation costs so we can deliver food to our partner charities at no extra charge.
- Monetary gifts help keep The Food Bank efficient by ensuring we can operate without interruption and respond to crises like the government shutdown.
Every $1 you give helps Ozarks Food Harvest provide $10 worth of groceries for a neighbor facing hunger.
Give now or host a fundraiser with your friends and workplace to help us ensure everyone is southwest Missouri has the food they need.
When you join Harvest Circle, a community of monthly sustainers that supports The Food Bank, you’ll help provide a steady source of funds that allow Ozarks Food Harvest to respond immediately to crises like the government shutdown.
- $6/month – healthy breakfasts for one child for a year
- $12/month – dinner for a single mother and her child every weeknight for a year
- $25/month – a month of breakfasts, lunches and dinners for a hungry senior
- $50/month – six meals for every weekend of the school year for two food insecure children
- $100/month – meals for a family of four for a year, with after-school snacks for kids
If you already donate monthly, consider increasing your gift.
Donate
Your voice matters in the movement to end hunger.
Contact your representatives and urge them to find a bipartisan solution to the federal shutdown.
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