In wake of SNAP halt, OACAC mobilizes in effort toward food security for area recipients

The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced on Oct. 20, 2025 that due to the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) has informed state agencies that November 2025 SNAP cannot be issued at this time.
With one in nine Missourians relying on SNAP, this interruption will have devastating consequences for families and individuals in Southwest Missouri.
At Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC), they know no single organization can meet this challenge alone. To ensure that people in Southwest Missouri continue to have access to food and essential resources, they are acting in two focused ways:
1. They are reaching out to community-minded businesses to set up food collection sites.
2. On Oct 29, OACAC is convening service providers, community partners, and local leaders to brainstorm a coordinated, community-wide response.
 
Food Collection Sites
OACAC is calling on local businesses, churches, civic groups, and volunteers across Southwest Missouri to join us in this urgent effort to support our neighbors by hosting a food collection of shelf-stable foods. OACAC will provide:
 - Signage and social media content
 - Food pick-up and distribution to families
 - Recognition on OACAC’s website, social media, and in the annual report
“We are honored to be asked to partner with OACAC to support this food collection drive for hungry children,” said Tyler Moles, Discovery Center of Springfield CEO. “We are an apolitical organization that exists to serve kids. Most of the time that means STEM education, but other times it means jumping in to help make sure that basic needs are met. We refuse to stand by and let southwest Missouri’s most vulnerable children go hungry.”
Community Collaborative Convening
OACAC is 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.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025 at 2pm at Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library Community Room in Springfield.
Goals for the 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 all know how devastating the halt to SNAP will be for our neighbors,” said Jennifer Olson, OACAC Executive Director. “It is in times like this that Community Action proves vital. Our team has been working hard all week to identify ways we can mobilize our community and harness the incredible outpouring of care and concern we have seen across our service area.”