Q. What is Second Harvest Community Food Bank?
A. Second Harvest Community Food Bank is the regional Feeding America not-for-profit food bank that provides food resources to a network of programs to end hunger in our region. Second Harvest is focused on nourishing seniors, children and families and promoting healthy eating.

Q. What are your hours of operation?
A. Second Harvest Community Food Bank is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Harvest House, Second Haarvest's on-site pantry, is open five days a week. The hours are as follows:
    Monday 11:00 - 2:00
    Tuesday 3:00 - 6:00
    Wednesday 2:00 - 5:00
    Thursday 3:00 - 6:00
    Friday 9:00 - 12:00

Q. How do you distribute food?
A. Second Harvest distributes donated and purchased food through its network of over 100 Partner Agencies throughout a 19-county service area in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. The agencies, such as soup kitchens, shelters and food pantries, then distribute the food to hungry children, seniors and families.

Q. What types of food do you distribute?
A. Last year, Second Harvest distributed and purchased 4.6 million pounds of nonperishable food and fresh produce, dairy products and meat.

Q. Where do you get the food?
A. Second Harvest receives food from food manufacturers, retailers, restaurants, food drives, the federal government, wholesale, and the national organization, Feeding America. Food is also purchased to ensure there is a consistent supply of much-needed product for complete meals.

Q. How many pounds of food are distributed annually?
A. Last year, Second Harvest distributed and purchased 4.6 million pounds of food. Additionally, more than 150 food drive sponsors donated more than 200,000 pounds of food. Food drives are held in churches, schools, office buildings and public facilities, just to name a few.

Q. How much of my donation is designated for programs and the mission of Second Harvest Community Food Bank? How much is used for administrative expenses?
A. Ninety-six percent of all resources donated to Second Harvest goes directly to providing food for the region’s families, leaving only 4 percent of each donated dollar designated for administrative and fundraising expenses.

Q. Who do you serve?
A. Over 13,000 seniors, children and working-poor families turn to Second Harvest and its network every week for food assistance. Thirty percent of the people we serve are children, and 20 percent are seniors. Nearly 65 percent of the households we serve include one working adult.

Q. How can I get food or become a member agency?
A. Anyone in need of food in Buchanan County can utilize the food pantry system in St. Joseph. See our 2012 Emergency Food Assistance Resource Guide for how to get food assistance.

To become a Partner Agency of Second Harvest, please contact , agency coordinator, at 816.364.3663 x 209. For additional information on membership see information in the Become a Partner Agency section of our website.

Q. How do I hold a food drive?
A. Holding a food drive is a great way to get involved in nourishing people in your community. To help you promote your food drive we will provide posters and collection ideas.

See information in the How to Conduct a Food/Fund Drive section of our website for more information or to register your food drive with Second Harvest.

Q. Where would I find information on volunteering for my local food pantry in my community?
A. See a listing of our Partner Agencies throughout our 19 county service area.

Do you have a question that is not answered on this web site?
You can contact us by phone at 816.364.3663 or by email.