Client-Choice Food Pantry
Providing nutritious food with dignity and choice
A Client-Choice Food Pantry
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri provides a client-choice Food Pantry in Jefferson City to address food insecurity, helping individuals and families move from crisis toward stability with dignity and compassion. When you visit our Food Pantry, you will be welcomed into a comfortable, grocery-store-style environment where you can select nutritious foods that best meet your household needs and preferences.
Through a monthly points system, individuals and families can make their own food selections, stretch household budgets, and reduce food waste by choosing items they will use and enjoy. Beyond meeting immediate nutritional needs, the Food Pantry provides opportunities for connection, access to additional resources, and support that helps individuals and families overcome barriers, build stability, and work toward long-term self-sufficiency.
A huge thank you, that the blessings that they were able to provide for not only my family but other families that are involved. It's a weight lifted off of our shoulders for sure.
Pantry Hours
No appointment needed — just stop by during our open hours.
Setting Up Your Membership
Visit the Food Pantry
Come with your I.D. If you don’t have one, come anyway – our staff can help navigate your membership.
Shop Online with SmartChoice
Once you have a Food Pantry membership, shop in person or use SmartChoice to order groceries online and pick them up at 1015 Edmonds Street.
Orders must be submitted 24 hours in advance of pick-up.
Order Groceries OnlinePantry Hour Updates
New Final Arrival Time
To ensure we can serve you well, we kindly ask that you arrive before 6:30 PM on Mondays/Wednesdays or before 12:30 PM on Fridays/Saturdays. We may not be able to accommodate shopping during the final 30 minutes of service if the wait exceeds about 20 minutes or more than 5 people in line.
Convenience Boxes
Optional pre-packaged boxes are now available for your convenience. While you're welcome to decline any items, please note that substitutions are not possible.
First-Time Visitors
First-time visitors who arrive late (after 6:30 PM Mondays/Wednesdays or 12:30 PM Fridays/Saturdays) will receive a shelf-stable convenience food box. We kindly invite you to return earlier on the next pantry day so we can assist you in completing your registration.
Changes to SNAP Benefits
Federal and Missouri changes to SNAP (food stamps) are rolling out over the coming months. If you have questions about how they may affect your household, our Food Pantry team is here to help.
Federal Work Requirements
- Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) aged 18–64 must meet the 80-hour-per-month work rule.
- Adults 55–64 lose the previous exemption.
- Failure to meet requirements limits benefits to 3 months in a 3-year period.
- Exemptions include veterans, people experiencing homelessness, pregnant individuals, caregivers of children under 14, and those with disabilities.
Gross Monthly Income Limits
130% of poverty, effective October 1, 2026
| 1 person | $1,729 |
| 2 people | $2,345 |
| 3 people | $2,960 |
| 4 people | $3,575 |
| Each additional person | +$616 |
Effective January 1, 2027, gross (130% of poverty) and net (100% of poverty) limits increase. For example, a 4-person household's gross limit rises from $3,483 to $3,575, and net from $2,680 to $2,750.
Missouri "Healthy SNAP" Restrictions
Missouri's USDA-approved "Healthy SNAP" waiver adds new limits on what SNAP EBT can buy, including:
- Candy (per Missouri's definition)
- Pre-packaged ready-to-eat desserts (e.g., cupcakes, cookies, pastries)
- Sugar-sweetened or low-juice beverages (including sodas and juice drinks with ≤50% juice)
- Qualifying energy drinks
These are in addition to existing SNAP rules (no alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared food, etc.).
Questions about SNAP? Contact MU Extension SNAP Outreach for help with SNAP questions and applications.
Give to the Food Pantry &
Earn Missouri Tax Credits
Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credits
Through the Missouri Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), for every dollar donated to the Catholic Charities Food Pantry, 50% is returned as a dollar-for-dollar Missouri state tax credit, dramatically reducing the net cost of your gift. The other 50% is tax deductible on your state and federal tax returns.
Eligible donors include: individuals with income from royalties or rental property, sole proprietors, corporations, S-corporations, partnerships, limited liability corporations, and farm operations.
Eligible donors who would like to give and receive NAP tax credits should contact our Development Team at development@cccnmo.org or call our main line at 573-635-7719.
This project has been supported by the Missouri Department of Economic Development's Neighborhood Assistance Program.
Food Pantry Tax Credits
Any taxpayer (individual, corporation, or trust) that makes a donation of cash or food supplies to a local food pantry, homeless shelter, or soup kitchen may receive a credit of up to $2,500 per taxpayer, per year.
The taxpayer may take a credit of 50 percent of their donations.
Form MO-FPT — Food Pantry, Homeless Shelter, or Soup Kitchen Tax Credit
Our Food Pantry Is Made Possible By
We are grateful for the funders and partners who help keep our shelves stocked and our doors open to neighbors in need.
Stories of Hope
Stories and reflections from Catholic Charities.
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