Today Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly released the following statement:

“I hope the fall season is finding you and your families well.  We are very fortunate for the blessings we’ve received in this amazing County.

As we all recognize, the continued Federal government shutdown is significantly impacting many of our fellow Johnson Countians.  At Johnson County Government, we remain mindful of those impacts to the services we provide in cooperation with the Federal government, such as WIC, and have taken Board action to ensure those services will continue uninterrupted.  

However, several crucial Federal services are set to expire tomorrow. One such program, SNAP, feeds about 5,000 children and elderly Johnson Countians. As of this time, those services are set to cease.  

While we are hopeful for a quick resolution that allows for SNAP benefit payments to be made quickly, we recognize this may be an extremely difficult time for families who rely on these regular benefits to put food on the table.

No one, especially our children and seniors, should have to worry where their next meal will come from. Therefore, in response to delays in SNAP benefits, Johnson County is partnering with others, including the United Way of Greater Kansas City, to ramp up efforts to provide direct food resources to local families.

You can help these efforts in a variety of ways:

1. Make a financial donation to support the United Way campaign – SNAP Into Action: https://give.unitedwaygkc.org/v/snap-into-action.  Like previous emergency campaigns, the United Way guarantees that 100% of gifts to SNAP into Action will support immediate hunger relief.
2. Join the United Way to pack non-perishable meal kits that will be distributed to a variety of nonprofit partners serving Kansas City metro families: https://give.unitedwaygkc.org/v/snap-into-action.
3. Bring non-perishable food items to next week’s Johnson County Board of County Commissioners meeting (November 6, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.), to be used in filling meal kits:
   
   • Boxed noodles (preferably elbow or rotini, but any type is accepted)
   
   • Kidney Beans (cans)
   
   • Diced Tomatoes (cans)
   
   • Green Beans (cans)
   
   • Chicken Broth (liquid)
   
   • Black Beans (cans)
   
   • Corn (cans)
   
   • Chili Seasoning Packet
   
   • Rice (uncooked)
   
   • Chicken packet
   
   • Cream of Chicken Soup (cans)
   
   • Tuna packet
   
   • Pasta Sauce (can)
4. Keep up to date on additional opportunities to support our families by checking our Johnson County social media channels and our website:  www.jocogov.org. 
5. Continue supporting your local food pantries and explore opportunities to get involved: Community Food Pantries | Johnson County Kansas

Johnson County is a community that cares about our neighbors.  When need arises, we feed the need. It is clear that the need is now.

I appreciate your generosity and kindness as we come together and ensure that no family goes hungry during these trying times.”