Yesterday morning, the line for Crosslines’ food pantry stretched down the length of the building before we even opened our doors. Families, seniors, and parents coming off overnight shifts waited in the cold and arriving here desperate for help.
Many had never asked for help before. Many never imagined they would need to.
And yet, volunteers — some of whom took time off their regular jobs to serve — stood ready. They handed out groceries, diapers, hygiene items, and warm words of encouragement. They lifted boxes into car trunks, checked on seniors, and made sure children would not go to bed hungry tonight.
Across the Ozarks, food pantries, community outreach centers, churches, and neighborhood programs are working overtime to ensure no one goes hungry. These are the people providing boxes of groceries, hygiene items, and diapers when federal systems fall short. They’re the ones loading food into car trunks, checking on seniors, and making sure no child goes to bed hungry.
“This is what we do 365 days a year — and we’ve done it for more than five decades,” said Jaimie Trussell, CEO of Crosslines Community Outreach. “If you really want to help your neighbors in need, help the helpers. This IS our day job.”
While serving neighbors in need is nothing new, the current strain is unprecedented. Food Stamp (SNAP) benefits do not run out at the same time for everyone — they load throughout the month based on recipients’ birth date and last name — meaning that each day this month, more families may try to use their benefit card and find it empty. Uncertainty is driving a dramatic increase in families seeking help, many finding themselves in crisis for the first time.
Agencies already working to keep shelves stocked are seeing them empty faster than ever — and once again, local volunteers and donors are stepping in to fill the gap.
How the Community Can Help Right Now
- Organize a food or hygiene drive. Rally your church, business, or civic group—every can of food and bar of soap counts.Give financially to trusted local agencies like Crosslines Community Outreach. Monetary gifts allow them to purchase food in bulk, fill supply gaps, and respond quickly as families wait for benefits to resume.Spread the word. Encourage others to give locally and remind your community that “neighbors helping neighbors” is how southwest Missouri has always made it through tough times.Volunteer. Stock shelves, pack food boxes, deliver to home-bound seniors, or serve neighbors face-to-face. A few hours of your time can change someone’s entire week.
“Crosslines exists because of the generosity of this community,” Trussell added. “When times get tough, southwest Missouri always shows up. Together, we can make sure no one in our community goes hungry!”
For a list of community resources visit: ccozarks.org/map