In 1979, Harvesters-The Community Food Network was organized to help feed people. The space that Harvesters initially operated out of was donated by Kansas City Cold Storage.
“In just its first 8 months of operations, Harvesters distributed 155,000 pounds of food to those facing hunger throughout 5 counties in the Kansas City area. It was one of only 40 food banks in the country, and one of the first to affiliate with the national organization now known as Feeding America.”
As Harvesters continued to grow, it moved into a new location on Prospect, and in 1982, for the first time, Harvesters had distributed a million pounds of food. You can imagine how much food that might be and wonder how many people could be fed. Eventually, a food drive coordinator was hired to help put together food drives. Harvesters was also trying to better nutrition.
In 1989, Harvesters moved again to a larger facility on Topping Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. It went from servicing 5 counties to 13. Through programs and special events, by the end of the 1990s, Harvesters’ food distribution grew to 14 million pounds of food per year.
Because Harvesters continued to grow, they moved to another location on Topping in 2003 where they still operate. With the advancement of technology, Harvesters was able to improve upon how it expanded services to other agencies.
In 2003, an online ordering system was implemented. In 2004, the BackSnack program was initiated and with donations, the program was expanded in 2008 serving 8,000 students a week. Harvesters has come up with programs to help feed seniors and children, and they even have a nutrition program that educates children.
In October 2010, Harvesters opened a second distribution center in Topeka, Kansas to help agencies in northeastern Kansas. That year, Harvesters became one of two food banks in the nation to receive a superior rating from The American Institute of Baking.
Harvesters has been recognized as being a role model for the nation by sensibly using resources in its community to help feed the hungry.
In 2019, Harvesters had its 40th anniversary. Enter 2020 and life changed for everyone with the beginning of COVID-19. There were agencies reporting a 40% increase in need. There were limits put on shifts of volunteers because of social distancing in place. “Harvesters distributed a record 65.9 million pounds of food and raised a record $23 million in donations.
If you want more information about Harvesters and want to learn how you can help or perhaps volunteer, go to www.harvesters.org. Whether you go with a group to volunteer or sign up on your own, it's both humbling and rewarding as well as a learning experience. You can also give food or donate.
Source: www.harvesters.org