KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For every dollar donated to Harvesters, the nonprofit can turn that into three meals to help someone in need.
Brian Fry, Harvesters' director of acquisitions, said food brokers like Feeding America help make it possible to stretch donations that far.
"They have a wonderful purchasing program," Fry said. "It's a portal we use. And if we need any product, we can contact our person that we work with and they'll help us put loads together."
Harvesters services 26 counties, 16 in Kansas and 10 in Missouri.
"The more food we can get in, the better it is for everybody, Fry said, "especially for the communities we live in and work in. We're up to feeding 141,000 people a month, so there's a tremendous need out there."
When it comes to stretching the money, Fry said they look at the best price to help families.
"Feeding America purchases quite a bit, so we get the best pricing through them as well," he said. "And then also we kind of go outside to other food brokers and we do our due diligence. We search, do the best food pricing before we commit to an order."
There also are ways to stretch the dollar at home.
"The best thing you could do is get out to the stores early, see what's out there," Fry said. "Come see the food banks. We have a wonderful program now too, that's a coronavirus food assistance program. So if they need to get to one of our agencies, which we service over 700, they can find great product there as well."
Here are more options:
- Check weekly ads for coupons.
- Clear out your pantry, see what you already have.
- Plan ahead and make a grocery list.
- Buy in bulk.
- Buy ingredients you can use in multiple meals (black beans, rice, pasta sauces).
--Since 2012, 41 Action News has hosted the Fill the Fridge to benefit Harvesters Community Food Network. Donations can be made online between Sept. 8 and 12, as well as at various locations throughout the Kansas City metro.
