Food pantries serves thousands in Fort Osage
A partnership with Harvesters Mobile Food Pantry, local churches, and Cler-Mont LINC Caring Communities has fed thousands of community members in Independence.
Harvesters has provided 143,637 pounds of bread, produce, dairy, and non-perishable items to families over 4,510 times.
The Harvesters Mobile Food Pantry visits the area every third Thursday. Those receiving food meet first at Harmony Heights Baptist Church to sign-in before picking up their food across the street at Fort Osage Church of the Nazarene. Harmony Heights joined as a partner after the program grew too big for one parking lot.
The Fort Osage Food Pantry provides non-perishable items as well as meat and dairy as available, and is open at Cler-Mont Elementary Monday through Friday. Once per week (except the third week), there is a larger distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, and other items. Food for the pantry is from Harvesters, supported by LINC.
Harvesters is also provides Fort Osage School District students with the BackSnack weekend food program, and adults with the Project STRENGTH food education program.
Adults can also participate in the University of Missouri - Extension Adult Nutrition program which meets once a month for 10 months. The program provides participants with information about food, nutrition, recipes, and teaches how to cook on a budget. Participants go home with groceries at the end of each class.
Learn more about Harvesters, MU - Extension, and LINC Food Programs by visiting their websites.