Harvesters - The Community Food Network

Who Can Visit?

Harvesters is a regional food bank serving a 27-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. Harvesters does not give out food directly to individuals at its Kansas City warehouse. Instead, it works through a large network of more than 900 nonprofit partner agencies, including emergency food pantries, community kitchens, and homeless shelters. If you need food, you can call the Customer Care line at 877-653-9519.

Items Needed for Registration

Most distributions through Harvesters partner agencies do not require paperwork to receive food. Some sites do require paperwork, particularly those that provide food from government programs like TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program). For those programs, state governments in Kansas and Missouri require your name, address, income level, and the number of people in your household. Requirements vary by site, so it is a good idea to check with the specific agency before you visit.

Good to Know

When you visit a drive-thru food distribution, please make sure your trunk is empty so volunteers can load food into it. Cars are served on a first-come, first-served basis. If you do not have a car, walk-ups are often welcome at many sites. Bring a backpack, wagon, or reusable bag to help carry your food. Distribution schedules can sometimes change at the last minute, so check the schedule daily and contact the agency before you go to confirm their hours and whether food will be available that day.

One community member who received food at a Harvesters site shared that she received so much food for just one person that she was able to share it with her aging neighbors. She noted that most packaged food had dates within one to two months of being picked up.

Food & Essentials

Harvesters provides food and related household products to partner agencies across the region. At mobile pantry distributions, a variety of fresh food and grocery items are given out, including produce, meat, dairy, and other donated items. Volunteers have described sorting and bagging fresh vegetables like apples, potatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes for distribution. Items distributed can include fresh and packaged foods, with some locations also providing frozen items. Harvesters is also shifting its focus to include healthier food options when distributing.

How to Pick Up

At drive-thru food distributions, cars are served on a first-come, first-served basis. When you arrive, volunteers will load the food into your trunk. Please make sure your trunk is empty before you attend. Walk-ups are also welcome at many sites. Bring a carrier like a backpack or wagon if you do not have a car.

Additional Support

Harvesters offers several programs and services beyond regular food distribution:

• Meals for Kids: Free and nutritious meals for children 18 and under during summer and after-school hours. Find sites at www.harvesters.org/get-food-assistance/meals-for-kids.
• SNAP Assistance: Help with learning about SNAP benefits, checking if you qualify, and getting application help. Call the SNAP Helpline at 877-653-9522.
• Mobile Pantry: Harvesters runs mobile pantry distributions at various locations in the KC area, often weekly or more frequently. Find the schedule and locations at www.harvesters.org/get-food-assistance/food-locator.
• Food+ Programs: Harvesters offers programs focused on workforce training, health, and transportation to help address the root causes of hunger.
• Disaster Relief and Response: Harvesters provides food and support during emergencies and disasters.
• Home Delivery: In special circumstances, some partner agencies may be able to arrange home delivery for those who cannot travel. Call 877-653-9519 to ask.
• Education: Harvesters offers education programs to increase community awareness of hunger and teach about good nutrition.

Ways to Give

Harvesters welcomes food donations, fund drives, and monetary donations. Here is how you can give:

• Donate Money: Give online at give.harvesters.org/page/85661/donate/1. For every dollar donated, Harvesters can help provide two meals to those in need. Monthly giving and planned giving options are also available.
• Host a Food or Fund Drive: Individuals, groups, and organizations can organize their own food or fund drives. Contact the Community Engagement team at getinvolved@harvesters.org or call (816) 929-3090 (Kansas City) for help getting started.
• Drop Off Food Donations: Bring donations to the Kansas City warehouse at 3801 Topping Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64129, or to the Lawrence, KS warehouse during normal business hours. Harvesters does not pick up food donations from residential locations, but food donation barrels are available at many local grocery stores.
• Food Industry Donations: Businesses in the food industry can arrange donations through Harvesters.
• Virtual Food Drive: You can also host a virtual food drive online.

How to Join the Team?

Volunteers are very important to Harvesters. There are several ways to get involved:

• Individual Volunteers: Sign up for volunteer shifts at www.harvesters.org/how-to-help/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities. You can schedule your time months in advance, and shifts are typically two hours long. Volunteers sort nonperishable goods, bag produce, serve meals, and distribute groceries.
• Group Volunteers: Companies, churches, sports teams, schools, and other groups can sign up for group volunteer opportunities at www.harvesters.org/how-to-help/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities?console_type=group. Group spots fill up quickly, so plan well in advance.
• Off-Site Opportunities: There are also volunteer options you can do from home or off-site.
• Community Service Hours: Students and others who need community service hours can volunteer at Harvesters.

All volunteers must be 12 years of age or older for on-site shifts. All volunteers are also required to complete a liability waiver before they volunteer. Minors must have the waiver signed by an authorized guardian. You can read the full Volunteer Handbook and policy at www.harvesters.org/how-to-help/volunteer/volunteer-guidelines.

For questions about volunteering, use the contact form at www.harvesters.org/contact or call 877-353-6639 toll free.