The Hermann Community Food Pantry is facing a crisis due to the government shutdown and their suspension of the SNAP benefits to lower income people in need of food.

The Missouri Department of Social Services has announced that SNAP benefits will not be issued for November due to the federal government shutdown. This decision affects over 650,000 Missourians, as the program is entirely funded by the federal government. Social Services advises their patrons to research local food resources such as food pantries for assistance.

“This shutdown affects the pantry greatly as we expect our patronage to grow by 30-50% until SNAP benefits are reinstated,” said Bartow Molloy, food pantry president. “Additionally, we will try to increase the amount of food we give each family and maybe even distribute food more often. We are having an emergency food pantry board meeting this week to come up with an action plan. Donations are down right now. We think this is because the cost of living has increased and some folks are concerned about donating during a time of rising prices. In addition to the government shutdown, we’re entering the season when our patronage increases substantially because of the holidays and cooler weather. Many people lose their seasonal jobs or just can’t afford the food they need because of the increase in food prices. They turn to us for help. We are in desperate need of donations to help us though this crisis. And now, they are turning to you for help.”

The Hermann Community Food Pantry’s mission is to fight hunger by gathering and distributing food, engaging in partnerships that advance self-sufficiency, and by providing community leadership on issues related to hunger.

The pantry is located in City Hall and was established 23 years ago. They are a 501(c)3 charity under the Community Foundation of the Hermann Area. The charity is managed 100 percent by volunteers, governed by a board of directors, and funded by community donations. In an average month, the Hermann pantry serves 80 households with around 250 people, and 204 households with 600 people for FARMs (Food Access and Resource Markets). FARMs is a food distribution service through the STL Foodbank. The program is a drive-through event where neighbors stay in their vehicles and volunteers place items in their car.

These are hard times for many people, and the food pantry needs your support to ensure they can continue to help those in need of food during the winter months and until SNAP benefits are back.

If you can help, your are asked to send your donation to The Hermann Community Food Pantry, PO Box 501, Hermann, MO 65041 or drop food off at City Hall into the barrel in the alcove at the entrance.