NOVEMBER 14, 2025 – Four Kansas health philanthropies joined forces to support local and statewide efforts to help fight hunger. The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, Kansas Health Foundation, Sunflower Foundation and REACH Healthcare Foundation are together contributing more than $381,000 to support Kansas food banks and community pantries before year-end.
Food banks and pantries were struggling to meet an increase in demand even before the recent government shutdown and disruption in funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These events further strained their operations, as more people needed help feeding their families.
“Kansans are struggling to put food on their tables right now, and it’s important we help where we can in the short term,” said David Jordan, Health Fund president and CEO. “While philanthropy can play a role in the current crisis, it can’t fulfill the role of government. The need is far too great.”
For every one meal provided by a food bank, SNAP provides nine, according to Feeding America.
“We know these contributions alone cannot solve the ongoing issue of food insecurity in Kansas,” said Ed O’Malley, president and CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation. “They can, however, help shine a light on the ongoing needs of so many of our Kansas friends and neighbors. KHF joins with other funding partners, as well as statewide and community-based partners like Hunger Free Kansas, to work toward a future where no Kansans go hungry.”
The growing demand comes as food banks and pantries head into the holiday season, which is typically their busiest time of year. The foundation leaders said they encourage everyone to donate to their local food pantries and banks.
“Food banks and their dedicated network of partners do remarkable work every day to keep Kansans fed,” said Brandon Skidmore, president and CEO of Sunflower Foundation. “Our support is meant to reinforce that network as it responds to extraordinary demand during this challenging time.”
They also urged Kansans to reach out to state and federal policymakers to stress how vital programs like SNAP are key to fighting food insecurity.
“SNAP remains one of the most effective tools we have to prevent hunger and support healthy families. It is critical that policymakers continue to support efforts to protect SNAP,” said Brenda Sharpe, president and CEO at REACH Healthcare Foundation. “We encourage everyone to contact their elected leaders and voice the importance of safeguarding this important program.”
To learn more about Kansas’ statewide food banks, please visit:
- Kansas Food Bank: https://kansasfoodbank.org/
- Harvesters: https://www.harvesters.org/
- Second Harvest: https://www.shcfb.org/
To locate and make a donation to your local food pantry, please visit: https://kansasfoodsource.org/
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ABOUT THE HEALTH FUND
The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund (Health Fund) is a statewide health foundation working to improve the health of all Kansans since 1986 by funding innovative ideas, sparking conversations and convening those who can make a difference. Learn more at www.HealthFund.org.
ABOUT THE KANSAS HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) is a nonprofit organization based in Wichita but statewide in its focus. At KHF, all our work centers on our mission: to improve the health of all Kansans. As part of our strategic framework, developed by our staff and board of directors, KHF also strives to accomplish three primary purposes: empower Kansas to lead the nation in health; eliminate the inequities that create health disparities; and, for KHF to become THE model for philanthropic impact. To learn more, visit https://kansashealth.org/.
ABOUT SUNFLOWER FOUNDATION
Sunflower Foundation was established in 2000 as a statewide health philanthropy with a mission to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of all Kansans. The foundation believes that a thriving, sustainable nonprofit sector contributes to healthy communities and is committed to investing in mission-aligned nonprofits through grants, education, advocacy, collaborative learning, and capacity building. To learn more, visit www.SunflowerFoundation.org.
ABOUT REACH HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
REACH Healthcare Foundation is a charitable foundation dedicated to improving health coverage and access to quality, affordable healthcare for uninsured and medically underserved people. The foundation focuses its support in a six-county service area that encompasses Allen, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and Cass, Jackson and Lafayette counties in Missouri, as well as the City of Kansas City, Missouri. To learn more, visit www.reachhealth.org.
