Schnucks accepts donations for food banks as shutdown continues

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Schnucks is helping out Missourians who lost their November SNAP benefits with a food drive at all stores across the state starting Thursday and running through Nov. 11, according to a press release.

The chain is asking people to donate shelf-stable, nonperishable items like canned goods, noodles and pasta sauce.

A manager at the Forum Blouvard location in Columbia said Thursday afternoon that there were several large donations since that morning.

Missouri food bank donations have been increasing since the federal government shutdown began Oct. 1. November SNAP benefits were paused as a result, forcing more people to fall back on food banks.

Gov. Mike Kehoe on Wednesday announced that over $15 million is going to food banks and a program to feed senior citizens.

The Boone County Commission a week before Kehoe's announcement said that the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri will receive $50,000 to use within the county.

The average SNAP recipient received about $187 a month last year, with national spending nearly reaching $100 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.