21 Oct SNAP: A Community Collaborative Effort

October 2025: Hello Community Partners and Friends. As you’ve likely heard, the recent federal shutdown will result in no SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits being distributed for November. With over 10% of Missourians relying on SNAP, this interruption will have devastating consequences for families and individuals throughout our communities.

At Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC), we know that no single organization can meet this challenge alone. To ensure that people in Southwest Missouri continue to have access to food and essential resources, we taking action in two focused ways:

1. We are reaching out to community-minded businesses to set up food collection sites. More info is below, please click here to sign on as a partner.
2. On October 29, we are convening service providers, community partners, and local leaders to brainstorm a coordinated, community-wide response. More info is below, please click here to RSVP.

1. Food Collection Sites

We are calling on local businesses, churches, civic groups, and volunteers across Southwest Missouri to join us in this urgent effort to support our neighbors.

Host a food collection of shelf-stable foods at your business, church, or organization. Encourage donations from your employees, customers, or congregation. Offer incentives like small discounts, giveaways, or recognition for those who donate. Spread the word by sharing OACAC’s posts and encouraging others to participate.

OACAC will provide:
✅ Signage and social media content for your use
✅ Recognition on our website, social media, and in our annual report

We are already partnering with community-minded organizations such as the Discovery Center and we would love to add your name to the growing list of supporters making a difference. If your organization would like to participate or learn more, please click the link above or contact Lindsey Dumas-Bell at [email protected] or (417) 873-3375.

2. Community Collaborative Meeting

When & Where: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 2pm at Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library Community Room, 2214 S. Brentwood Blvd in Springfield, MO.

We are seeking input from:

• Decision-makers who can commit resources, partnerships, or organizational support, and
• Frontline staff and innovators who have firsthand insight and creative ideas for how we can best serve our neighbors in this critical time.

Our goals for this convening are to:

• Share what we each know about community needs and existing efforts,
• Identify gaps and opportunities for collaboration, and
• Develop actionable strategies that maximize our collective impact.

We invite you to join this collaborative effort in whatever way you can – host a food collection, attend the convening, share the information, or click here to donate.

Thank you for being part of this caring and resilient community.