If you don’t think personal food insecurity is an issue as the federal government shutdown continues, United Way of the Flint Hills Executive Director Daphne Mertens would beg to differ.
Mertens expanded on that observation as part of a wide-ranging interview on KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Thursday.
The expected impact from pausing SNAP and WIC benefits led the United Way to develop the Rapid Response Food Relief Team, which now includes local nonprofits, the city of Emporia, Newman Regional Health, USD 253 Emporia, the Kansas Department for Children and Families and other organizations. Meetings have started to determine exactly how to help those in need locally, and there has been at least one relief measure that has stemmed from those early conversations.
Another sign of strain can be seen in the city’s blessing boxes, staffed and stuffed by churches and nonprofits.
Meanwhile, the United Way continues its short-term oversight of Abundant Harvest Food Kitchen with the help of city finances after the Rescue Mission Board decided to divest itself from overseeing the food kitchen.
Current hours are 4-4:30 pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for hot meal service and 8:30 am Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays for packaged food handouts. Additional packaged food handouts will take place at 8:30 am Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays, based on supply.
Still to be determined is the partner — or partners — that will oversee Abundant Harvest come New Year’s Day. Mertens says there are several potential partners, and the early direction is towards a “piecemeal” approach next year. The future of the Abundant Harvest building, though, Looks settled. And it looks like use of the building is coming to an end.
The impending end of using Abundant Harvest would likely mean any food pantry partners would handle food service at their locations.
All this comes as the United Way continues seeing an increased push for emergency services through the 2-1-1 phone number. Mertens is asking partners to make sure their information is updated with the increased demand set to continue.
The United Way is also securing donations for its Thanksgiving meal giveaway.
Read the article here
By: Chuck Samples- Nov 6, 2025 | 9:51 AM