In late October, the Missouri Department of Social Services announced it won’t be able to pay SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown, causing concern for food pantries in the Montgomery County area. 

Food pantries at the Crisis Closet and Reach Church have seen an increase in clients since the announcement was made.

Reach Church co-pastor Chris Meyer said there were 505 families who went through the drive-thru food pantry, which is held at the back of the church on Oct. 28. The pantry, which is held every Tuesday afternoon from noon-3 p.m., usually attracts about 400 families.

“That’s a lot of families,” Meyer said.

Crisis Closet president Jim Guffie said his food pantry, which is located at the Montgomery City Church of the Nazarene, is averaging between two to five families a month this fall, an increase from the summer.

“A lot of people are going to be hurting,” Guffie said. “It’s very concerning. Some of our people are dependent on the food distribution here. We’re glad that we can provide the service. We can do it only once periodically because we can’t do a weekly distribution. We’re not equipped to do that.”

On Nov. 4, the state announced that it will offer partial benefits, just two weeks after it announced it wasn’t offering any benefits at all due to the shutdown. After a court ruling on Oct. 31, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) required federal funding to be partially restored, allowing states such as Missouri to issue partial SNAP benefits for November.

Meyer said the food pantry will continue to help the Montgomery County citizens in need.

“We’re truly trusting God that He’s going to supply,” he said. “As far as the food bank goes, there hasn’t been an uptick in things that are available through the food bank. We had different people who stepped up and wanted to give donations. One way or another, God ends up meeting the needs.”

The Crisis Closet has been serving the county since 1971, but operated at the Church of Nazarene for only three years. It provides aid to county residents once every three months. The organization provides a list of food items, paper products, hygiene items and cleaning supplies to those who want to make donations. The Crisis Food Closet operates from 9 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and Friday and receives no state or federal funding. 

Two churches – Immaculate Conception and the First United Methodist Presbyterian Church – bring items to the Crisis Closet. The ICC group donated items on the morning of Nov. 4 and FUMPC sent boxes of food with 16 items in each box.

“We’re pretty well stocked right now,” Guffie said.

Reach Church’s food pantry, which is called Feeding MOCO, started in 2014. It has between 25-30 volunteers.

“When we first started it, it was once a month,” Meyer said. “It was just the government food that we would do once a month. About a year or two into it, we started serving every week because God was bringing in the donations. We have to make sure we get rid of the food before it goes bad.”

High Hill Christian Church has had a mobile food pantry since 2020. Its food pantry is open on the third Friday of each month from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. The church is extending the pantry’s hours for shopping. The pantry will open from 6 a.m.-8 a.m. and 2 p.m.-4 p.m. on Monday, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6 a.m.-8 a.m. on Thursdays. Appointments are accepted by calling 636-585-2323.

“We have upped our food pantry donations and are asking our church and those in the community who can, to donate food as well as we are taking up a Christmas offering that will fully go to restocking our LOL (Love Out Loud) Food Pantry,” said Kellee Gentry, the church’s spiritual formation director. “We know this is a stressful time for families and High HIll Christian Church is here to support families as best we can.”

There is also a mobile food pantry every fourth Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. at Kiwanis Ballpark in Wellsville.

The Wellsville-Middletown cheerleading team held an “Oh, Snap! Food Drive” from Oct. 24-Nov. 7 for students who were affected by the delay of SNAP benefits. The W-M Buddy Pack program is providing a Thanksgiving food box that costs $40 and includes a turkey and fixings for a family of four.

NRG Packs, a 501c-3 ministry, provides weekend meals for students in need in the county.