Just Food announced Friday the launch of a fund that will help the organization leverage its purchasing power to buy food for every pantry in Douglas County.
Just Food is Douglas County’s primary food pantry and a food bank in partnership with Harvesters.
Aundrea Walker, executive director of Just Food, said earlier this week that federal guidelines state that every pound of food donated equates to $1.97 in cost. Just Food’s average cost per pound was $0.72 in September and currently averages $0.85 for October.
“Local nonprofits are stepping up in a unified fashion to serve our community in the most efficient, effective way possible while acknowledging that this cannot be a long-term solution,” according to a Friday news release from Just Food.
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Food security advocates throughout Douglas County have been formulating an emergency response plan if SNAP benefits don’t come in for November. Tuesday was Kansas’ deadline to receive SNAP funds for processing by Saturday, Nov. 1. Nearly 190,000 Kansans now face a delay, if not a total loss, of $34.4 million for food support come next month.
The online fundraiser through the Douglas County Community Foundation is now available at this link.
As part of the plan, community members can also sign up to volunteer to help through United Way of Kaw Valley.
“This is a crisis our community should not have to bear — but we will, together,” the release stated. “This is not just about the people using SNAP benefits, this is about our entire economy.”
In addition to their primary pantry location at 1000 E. 11th St., Just Food operates a mobile pantry called the “Cruising Cupboard,” and works with partner pantries on KU’s campus, in local schools and at Heartland Community Health Center. Learn more about how to get food here.
Read more about the plan and other ways to help or receive help in this article.
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