Editorial: Food for thought
EDITORIAL MUG: Editorial art Vertical
Chances are, if you’re reading this newspaper, you probably don’t struggle with knowing where your next meal is coming from. But according to 2021 data from the University of Missouri Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security, more than 11 percent of Nodaway County residents are food insecure, and about 1 in 10 children are.
As federal and state programs have cut back, we have a hard time imagining those numbers have gotten better — especially among children, who no longer have access to free school lunches through a COVID-era federal program.
So especially during the summer, food banks provide a vital, essential service for our communities.
The Second Harvest Community Food Bank is the largest free food provider in northwest Missouri, and one of the most important programs the organization offers is its fresh mobile food pantries. On the second Tuesday of each month, cars line up outside the First United Methodist Church in Maryville for free food for families without any income requirements. It’s a hassle-free lifeline for so many families who need to put food on the table. Just this week, the Barnard fresh mobile pantry distribution event — regularly scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of the month —provided food for area families. The monthly fresh mobile food pantry in Worth County is held on the first Monday at the Worth County R-III school in Grant City.
For those who meet the income restrictions, we’re fortunate to have more options, including The Ministry Center’s food pantry in Maryville, which provides food for those who qualify. Second Harvest programs aimed at the most vulnerable, like senior boxes for seniors and the No Hunger Summer program for children eligible for free and reduced-price lunches are also indispensable for those in our area who have access to no alternatives.
If you need help, we encourage you to reach out to these organizations and take advantage of the programs available. And if you don’t need the help, we hope you’ll take notice of how many in our community do, especially children, and do what you can to volunteer, donate and let state and federal legislators know that our northwest Missouri friends and neighbors are not just numbers on a stat sheet.
