Latest news with #MackenzieOsborn
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Second Harvest hosts 'Fill the Van', sites at local grocers
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — If you spot a Second Harvest Community Food Bank truck outside your local grocery store, you have a chance to help fight food insecurity in the St. Joseph and Savannah areas. From July through October, Second Harvest will park its truck twice a month outside Sam's Club in St. Joseph and Brother's Market in Savannah. The goal is to collect donations of newly purchased food items to support the Campus Cupboard program, which serves 19 counties and more than 50,000 children during the summer months. Communications Director Mackenzie Osborn said the drives typically collect between 7,000 and 10,000 pounds of food. She emphasized the importance of items that can be used to prepare multiple meals. The thing that matters most when it comes to feeding families is providing items that help make complete meals," Osborn said. "Today we've received macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and vegetables, all things that are healthy and help families stretch their meals." Shoppers like Laura Coborn, who donated pasta, spaghetti sauce and honey, said giving is quick and meaningful. "I donated some pasta, spaghetti sauce and honey, and I feel like God wants us to give," Coborn said. The food drives are held twice a month, on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. But for those who can't make it, Osborn said there are still ways to contribute. "If you aren't able to make a donation at one of the Fill The Van days or outside the area, you can always start a local food drive to benefit your local food pantry because they're always in need, just like the school food pantries are, Osborn said. In addition to the monthly events, a citywide food drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 3, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, at multiple locations. * Sam's Club, 5201 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph * Brother's Market, 402 E. Price Ave., Savannah * Cosentino's Price Chopper, 2219 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, Missouri * Hy-Vee, 201 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, Missouri
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Second Harvest helps feed families during arctic blast
Missourians dealt with a few arctic frosts this year, which skyrocketed heating bills and presented citizens with the dilemma of whether to stay warm or to stay fed. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, heating bills this winter are expected to climb to 8.7%. Second Harvest Community Food Bank is here to help those worried about food security for the rest of the winter season. Those struggling to afford heating their homes and putting food on the table can apply for SNAP, the federal and state-run Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP assists low-income families by supplementing their grocery budget. SNAP Application information can be found on the Missouri Department of Social Service's website, Second Harvest Food Bank also has many agency partners with food pantries that anyone can visit. "Here in St. Joe, we have about nine pantries that are available throughout the week and a couple on the weekends," Second Harvest's Communications Coordinator Mackenzie Osborn said. "We have about 45 pantries throughout our entire 18 county service area, so where you are there is somewhere that you can get food assistance." In Buchanan County alone, residents can visit the Cathedral of St. Joseph, InterServ, Patee Park Baptist Church, the Salvation Army and several other locations for food assistance. Additionally, residents can look out for the Fresh Mobile Pantries that frequently travel around Buchanan County, distributing fresh produce and proteins to those in need. The next couple of stops include: * 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 at the American Legion Hall on Memorial Drive in Hamilton, Missouri * 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 at Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church located at 5502 Frederick Avenue in St. Joseph, Missouri The schedule for the rest of the year can be found on Second Harvest's website, Food insecurity will sometimes be associated with negative misconceptions, but it's far more common than most believe. "Throughout northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas, one in six people is food insecure," Osborn said. "I think it's just important to let people know that if you are facing food insecurity, you're not alone." For a complete list of resources available to those facing food insecurity, visit Second Harvest's website at
