Excelsior Springs, Mo. – With the winter months and holiday gatherings approaching, food insecurity is becoming a pressing issue in Clay County, including Excelsior Springs. Anne Lavelle, MPH, RN, from the Clay County Public Health Center (CCPHC), highlights how many families are struggling to put food on the table.
Food insecurity, according to the USDA, is when people are unsure if they can get enough food due to financial constraints. In Clay County, about 13.4% of residents face this challenge, per Feeding America.
“This issue mainly affects low-income families, minorities, households with children, and single parents,” Lavelle explains. Geography and access to transportation add to the problem.
In Clay and Platte counties, over 150,000 residents lack reliable access to healthy food—this includes more than 40,000 children and nearly 15,000 seniors. Many of these families live far from grocery stores, making it difficult to obtain nutritious meals.
The situation is even tougher for those on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Over 8,000 households receive SNAP benefits, with another 7,000 residents eligible but not signed up.
Lavelle also points out the broader impact of food insecurity. “It’s connected to poorer health, higher medical costs, and more missed school or work days,” she notes.
Holiday Demand on Local Pantries
During the holiday season, drive-through food pantries are vital resources. Many are teaming up with the Harvesters Community Food Network and CCPHC to meet the growing demand.
In Excelsior Springs, several organizations are stepping up to help.
Zion KC (formerly ES First)
1800 W. US Highway 69
Fourth Saturday each month • 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Offers a drive-through food pickup.
Good Samaritan Center
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. & 1–3:30 p.m.
Distributes food gathered from donors and community gardens, as well as USDA programs.
Meet the Need
Operates on Wednesdays by appointment. There are no income requirements, just a quick application. Households can get food twice a month, and volunteers help customize each box for dietary needs.
County Resources and Mobile Pantry Services
The CCPHC, located at 800 Haines Drive in Liberty, holds a mobile food pantry every Wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m. while supplies last. “We provide free fruits and vegetables on the first Wednesday of each month,” says Kelsey Neth, communications coordinator at CCPHC. “Harvesters delivers the produce for us to share with the community.”
Since starting, this mobile pantry has reached over 5,000 households. Starting November 2025, each vehicle will limit pickups to four households. Keep updated via the CCPHC Facebook page.
Additional Harvesters partner locations include:
- Journey Church of Kansas City — Fourth Saturday, 8–9 a.m.
- Liberty Hospital — Third Friday, 5:30–7 p.m.
- Kansas City Church — Last Thursday, 9:30–11 a.m.
- Vineyard Church — Fourth Saturday, 8–9 a.m.
- Harmony Vineyard Church — Second Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
- North Kansas City YMCA — First Friday, 1:30–3 p.m.
- Christ Temple North — Second Saturday (Feb/Apr/Jun/Aug/Oct/Dec), 9–10:30 a.m.
- Unity Kansas City North — First Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Looking Ahead
While local pantries address immediate needs, Lavelle emphasizes the importance of long-term solutions. “We are not just filling gaps; we’re working with partners to tackle the root causes of food insecurity,” she says.
Addressing food insecurity is complex, but health leaders, non-profits, and community volunteers are committed to ensuring families have access to healthy food, especially during the holiday season. In recent years, trends on social media show people rallying together to support food drives, creating a community spirit aimed at reducing hunger.
For further insights on food security initiatives, visit the Feeding America website, which offers extensive resources and statistics on food insecurity across the country.
