Food Drive to Help Local Limited Resource Families Has Started

Loretta George

7 hours ago

It’s that time of year that people begin thinking about Thanksgiving holiday celebrations, and for many, having enough food to feed their families is an ongoing issue.

Three local organizations have started a food drive, the Bourbon County-Wide Gratitude Challenge, that will help contribute to limited-resource residents’ food availability. The food drive will continue until November 25.

Canned goods, boxed meals, and dry goods, as well as essential personal hygiene products, will be collected. The items will be distributed to local food pantries and other organizations working to support those in need during the holiday season and beyond.

“During this season of gratitude, we have an opportunity to give back to our neighbors in a meaningful way,” said Lisa Robertson, Community Health Worker with The Local Health Equity Action Team. “Food insecurity is a real challenge for many in our community, and by coming together, we can make sure that no one has to go without the basic necessities of life.”

The Guild Mortgage Company, 1 E. Wall, is taking donations for the food drive. Submitted photo.

Tomorrow: A Drive-up, Drop-off Event

Saturday, November 9, Lisa Robertson, LHEAT Community Health Worker, and Lea Kay Karsleskint, with K-State Extension SNAP-ED, will be outside at Brick Street BBQ Restaurant on North National Avenue from 10 a.m. to noon for the convenience of drive-up and drop-off contributions.

There are several options for those who want to help the cause.

Monetary Donations: HBCAT will accept monetary donations to purchase essential food pantry items.
Drop Off Non-Perishable Items: Take non-perishable food items to any of the participating drop-off sites below. Several partner organizations are offering drawing entries for gift cards and more, to those who donate at their business establishment.
- 5 Corners Mini Mart
- Bourbon County Courthouse
- Bourbon County EMS
- Buck Run Community Center
- Citizens Bank
- City Hall
- City State Bank
- Community Health Center of Fort Scott
- Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
- Fort Scott Christian Heights
- Fort Scott Fire Station #2 – 23 S. Franklin
- Fort Scott Police Department
- Guest Home Estates
- Guild Mortgage – 1 E Wall
- Kansas Renewal Institute
- HBCAT – 104 N. National
- The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative
- Landmark National Bank – Downtown location
- Papa Don’s
- Peerless Products
- Perry’s Pork Rinds
- SEK-Mental Health
- The Artificers
- Union State Bank
- Uniontown Spark Wheel
- Ward-Kraft
Order from Walmart: Place an online order for delivery directly to the HBCAT office at 104 N. National.
Drive-Up and Drop-Off: On Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 AM to 12 PM, drive up and drop off your donations in front of Brick Street BBQ. Volunteers will be on hand to unload your donations.
Get Your Church or Organization Involved: If you have not yet been contacted and would like your church or organization to participate in making this food drive a success, please reach out to HBCAT.
Contact for More Information: Call the HBCAT office at 620-224-2563 for additional details or questions.

Landmark Bank, 200 S. Main, created a Thanksgiving theme at their drop-off location.

The drive, spearheaded by the Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT), The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT), and K-State Research and Extension SNAP-ED, has set in motion area partners who are collecting non-perishable food items, according to a press release from Kansas State.

“The Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT) coalition is taking proactive steps to address pressing health disparities in our community,” Karleskint said. “Meeting bi-monthly, this diverse group of local leaders, health professionals, and community members collaborates on identifying and tackling the most urgent public health challenges affecting residents.”

“One of the critical issues that the LHEAT has identified and is actively working to address is food insecurity,” she said. “With many individuals and families in our community struggling to access healthy and nutritious food, the coalition is committed to finding sustainable solutions that will help alleviate hunger and improve overall health outcomes.”

“We know that food insecurity is not just a matter of access—it’s a health issue that impacts individuals across all ages and backgrounds,” said Karleskint. “By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, we’re not only raising awareness about the issue but also working collaboratively to implement real, lasting change.”

“The coalition’s efforts are part of a larger initiative to reduce health disparities and improve well-being for all community members, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Through these ongoing discussions and partnerships, the Local Health Equity Action Team is paving the way for a healthier, more equitable community.”

How It Started

“At a recent LHEAT meeting, Lisa Robertson, our LHEAT lead, proposed organizing a food drive to address the ongoing food insecurity in Bourbon County,” Karleskint said. “Having seen firsthand the struggles faced by many in her role as a Community Health Worker, Lisa is deeply committed to supporting underserved community members. After she introduced the idea, the LHEAT team came together to brainstorm ways to make it a meaningful event. A few weeks later, Lisa reached out to several local food pantries, churches, and The Beacon, inviting them to meet with she and I. As an LHEAT member and the KSRE SNAP-Ed nutrition educator for Bourbon County, I was eager to partner on this project. Together, we held a productive brainstorming session, generating ideas that would inspire community involvement and ensure the food drive’s success. With the weather getting colder and the holidays approaching, we thought now would be the perfect time to implement our project.”

Here’s a summary of the food assistance resources in Bourbon County they plan to assist:

The Beacon Food Pantry provides essential services for those in need Monday – Friday
Fort Scott High School Pantry and Fort Scott Community College Pantry offer students access to essential food items.
Uniontown Spark Wheel and Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church Pantry serve Uniontown residents, supporting families and individuals facing food insecurity.
Blessing Boxes are small, community-based outdoor pantries stocked with essentials for immediate access.
Bethesda Church Food Pantry and First Baptist Church Food Pantry provide ongoing support for local families in need.
Fulton Community Pantry will assist local households in need, and Bronson Library Food Pantry extends support to residents in the Bronson area.

These organizations are part of a collaborative network dedicated to combating hunger in Bourbon County.

“We encourage any additional food pantries in Bourbon County that we may not yet be aware of to reach out to us,” Karleskint said. “Connecting with these resources allows us to strengthen our community network and better support residents facing food insecurity.