As the need for food and other basic necessities grows locally, Meet the Need is helping hundreds of families bridge the gaps between paychecks.

Meet the Need Executive Director Valerie Hoffecker and other organization members recently told the Excelsior Springs Substance Abuse Free Environments (SAFE) group how the nonprofit supports local families through food assistance, employment-related aid and other programs as community needs grow.

Meet the Need affiliate Theresa Moyer explained the increase has been especially apparent through the organization’s food pantry.

“The need this year has grown unbelievable,” she said.

The pantry previously served about 30 families each week. In August, however, Meet the Need provided food to 202 families, including 370 adults and 310 children, amounting to 6,120 meals.

Moyer noted the pantry relies on donations and other sources to keep food available for families, including twice-monthly deliveries from Harvesters, pickups from Walmart each Monday and T…