Support Us Button Widget

2 food security nonprofits come to KC thanks to $1.2 million investment

GreenLight Fund Kansas City will help fund local operations for two food security-based nonprofits: mRelief and Food Connect.

The Hope Market Local Food Pantry chili supper

This investment doesn’t replace KC’s food security services: it supports them.

Photo by The Hope Market

Table of Contents

Three national nonprofits are collaborating to battle food insecurity in the metro. Food Connect and mRelief, funded by GreenLight Fund Kansas City, help locals reliably access food by supporting existing safety nets in the city. Let’s meet them.

mRelief

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) typically requires a 17-page application and 10 personal documents. Locally, $8.4 million in SNAP funding goes unclaimed yearly.

mRelief helps remove barriers like these, allowing more Kansas Citians who qualify to access SNAP.

Food Connect

Kansas City is full of nonprofits and community members working to deliver food to people in need — but those efforts can be fragmented. Food Connect provides logistical support to connect hunger relief services, extending the reach of programs like KC Food Hub.

GreenLight Fund Kansas City

None of this would be possible without GreenLight Fund, a nonprofit that identifies successful nonprofit projects and scales them in communities nationwide.

The Kansas City branch surveyed residents on the major barriers preventing equitable food access, and connected with mRelief and Food Connect to address those concerns. The fund will invest $1.2 million into expanding the nonprofits over four years.

More from KCtoday
Mark your calendars for Friday, Oct. 24 — we’re breaking down every stop from Union Station to UMKC.
Here’s the deal — the swap meet and vintage shopping scene is stellar in the KC metro.
Raking in the leaves? Here’s how to bag, bundle, and bin them the KCMO-approved way this fall and spring.
Dining in Kansas City is always a fresh experience with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
Structures deemed significant have special protections + rules regarding exterior renovations, upkeep, and demolition. Check if your home falls under this designation, along with tools to research its history.
Whether you’re looking to pick your own or pick it up from the country store, we’ve got 9 of the metro’s best spots for seasonal fun.
The Bam Bam Room is ready to welcome beginners and seasoned players for daily games and boutique finds.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
We’ve got a game for you — test your knowledge of how well you know Kansas City venues by the address alone.
There’s a lot to look forward to in Kansas City over the next few years. See what other locals are most excited for and when to expect construction to wrap up.