11/02/2025
People have asked me this week - “What can I do to help my neighbors and those truly in need?” The answer is NOT the Government, it is our People. See details in the release below. Please share and when you go to church Sunday, discuss and see what the Lord leads you to do!
Commissioner Andy Gipson Encourages Mississippians to Support One Another by Supporting Food Banks During Federal Government Shutdown
JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson is asking Mississippians to support their local food banks and pantries amid the ongoing federal government shutdown and uncertain future of government assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP). Local food banks and food pantries are experiencing increased demand for assistance as we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
“The federal shutdown is creating real challenges for hardworking Americans. And now, truly needy folks, including those who rely on SNAP benefits for food, are wondering how they’ll put food on the table. The most frequent call I have received this week are from those worried about their sick or elderly neighbors, or single parents with young children - and most of those callers want to know what they can do to help fill this pending need for food,” said Commissioner Gipson. “Well, we are a generous people in Mississippi, and we demonstrated during Covid how much we care for our families and our neighbors in a time of need. We pull together during difficult times. So, I’m calling on Mississippians who can lend a hand to do just that. I want to encourage individuals and businesses to give to our food banks, pantries and other community programs, from our local, church-based pantries to the larger food banks located throughout the major regions of our state. I have this confidence in Mississippians, in our People – that we will rise to the occasion and stand in the gap to make sure our neighbors won’t go hungry.”
To help bridge the gap, Commissioner Gipson encourages those that are capable to donate to local food banks and pantries. A $10 donation can help supply up to 50 meals for families in need. Mississippians are served by three Feeding America Food Banks – Mid-South Food Bank, Mississippi Food Network and Feeding the Gulf Coast. Together, these food banks serve local food pantries across the state in all 82 counties. Donation opportunities for each food bank can be found under the ‘donate’ link on each site. A listing of local food pantries served by each of the food banks can be found on the food bank websites for those interested in contributing to food pantries in their local communities.
o Mid-South Food Bank (midsouthfoodbank.org)
o Mississippi Food Network (msfoodnet.org)
o Feeding the Gulf Coast (feedingthegulfcoast.org)
Organizing food drives for donation to food pantries is another way to assist. These can be hosted by groups such as churches, schools or community organizations. For all the individual citizens, churches or businesses who would like to purchase local food to donate to pantries, visit GenuineMS.com to source direct from farmers.
The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce has expedited available Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) resources provided through MDAC by the USDA to assist the three Feeding America Food Banks with making food purchases from Mississippi farmers. Farmers interested in supplying food banks can register at https://agnet.mdac.ms.gov/FoodBank/.
