JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – 31 August 2026 — The Missouri Department of Social Services’ announced today that it will require additional documentation for SNAP eligibility. This policy change comes at a troubling time when almost 18,000 children in Missouri have already lost food assistance under the additional requirements imposed on SNAP recipients under HR1. Beginning...Lee mas

An interesting question crossed my mind the other day – What would Missouri look like without Empower Missouri? Empower Missouri is the oldest and largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in our state. In 1901, a group of 41 Missourians came together at the YMCA in St. Louis to discuss critical, deep-rooted societal issues. This group continued...Lee mas

For many Missouri families, school meals are more than just breakfast and lunch — they are a dependable source of nutrition that helps children learn, grow, and thrive. Yet too often, families face barriers to accessing school meals, whether due to paperwork, stigma, changing household finances, or simply not knowing they qualify for help. The...Lee mas

Most of us go through life working and trying to do it well, but every once in a while there comes a moment when you realize you’ve become part of something much bigger, something with the potential to change how people think and, perhaps, chart the course of history. I believe that’s where the Missouri...Lee mas

PURPOSEEmpower Missouri is seeking a Food Security Intern or Practicum Student to support ouradvocacy work aimed at increasing food security for Missourians. Interns and practicum studentswill contribute to policy research, testimony development, coalition-building, data analysis, andpublic education efforts. This is a valuable opportunity for individuals interested in public policy,community engagement, and food justice. ESSENTIAL DUTIES...Lee mas

Imagine going to the grocery store hungry, knowing you can buy a frozen burrito but not a warm, ready-to-eat one—even if both cost the same. That’s the reality for millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. Under current federal law, SNAP recipients are prohibited from...Lee mas

We thank Governor Kehoe for taking swift action to support Missouri families during the ongoing federal shutdown. We appreciate the expedited transfer of $10.6 million to Missouri’s Area Agencies on Aging to ensure continued meal access for seniors, as well as the early release of $5 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding...Lee mas

On Monday, October 20th, the Missouri Department of Social Services announced that Missourians will not receive their November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. According to guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), funding for November benefits is unavailable due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. However, the USDA currently has between $5 and...Lee mas

Position Title: Community Representative Position Summary: The Missouri Rural Food Access Partnership (MRFAP) seeks passionate and engaged community members to serve as Community Representatives on our advisory board.This role offers a meaningful opportunity to advocate for improved nutrition security inrural Missouri, share local perspectives, and help shape initiatives that strengthen thestate’s food systems.Our goal is...Lee mas

Missouri’s aging population is expected to rise very quickly over the next decade, mirroring a historic demographic shift occurring across the United States. Currently, one in four Missourians is 60 years of age or older. This trend is projected to continue, with the number of Missourians aged 60 and above soon equaling the number of...Lee mas