Many local opportunities are available for those who want to give or need assistance this holiday season.

Samantha Miller with Steelville R-3 School District said they aren’t having a food drive, but do welcome donations to the Backpack Program to help fight food insecurity for their students. 

“Families in our district facing food insecurity are always welcome to my Backpack Program, no income verification necessary,” Miller said. “If they ask about it, I add them to my list.”

Monetary donations are also welcome, as each bag typically runs $5 to $6 each, and is sent home with students every Friday during the school year, which includes summer school. 

Miller added that families may sign up for the local Shop with a Cop if they need help providing Christmas gifts to their children.

“We currently have over 100 students benefitting from our Shop with a Cop and Christmas Adoption programs,” Miller said. “We fundraise for Shop with a Cop year-round. Mike Sherman with (the) Steelville Police Department can handle donations for that.”

The Crawford County Courthouse in Steelville is accepting food drive donations through Dec. 12 in a box placed right outside the county clerk’s office. According to a courthouse representative, all items donated will be given to the Food Pantry in Steelville. Depending on the amount of donations, some items will also be shared with the Bourbon and Cuba food pantries, so fill up that box and spread the giving spirit. 

The Cuba Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry has donation and volunteer opportunities. To donate or volunteer, call 573-885-6703. The food pantry is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., but it is best to call or check their Facebook page ahead of time before visiting. 

More information about pantry events or other community happenings, such as free community dinners or food drives, can also be found on their Facebook page.

  The Cuba Police Department has started fundraising for its 12th annual Shop With A Cop Program. Last year, the department took about 50 children shopping and it hopes to provide more children with gifts this year. The program, which is made possible through community donations, accepts cash or check that can be dropped off at Cuba City Hall, 202 N. Smith Street, either in the dropbox or inside. Donations can also be mailed to: City of Cuba, PO Box K, Cuba, MO 65453.

  Checks should be made payable to the city of Cuba and in the memo line write “Shop With A Cop.” Cash envelopes should be labeled “Shop With A Cop” when utilizing the drop box.

  This year’s fundraiser will end with a shopping spree on Dec. 13 when families meet officers at local shopping centers so children may choose their gifts.

Executive Director Nancy Montgomery of the Saint James Caring Center - Food Distribution Center said many area residents rely on their services as a first defense against food insecurity.

“As the only food pantry in our service area, we serve a population where 19.1 percent live in poverty, 20 percent are seniors, and more than half of public-school children rely on free or reduced lunch programs,” said Montgomery.

Administrative Assistant Rita Comstock with the Food Pantry explained that the community is encouraged to donate monetarily so that orders may be tailored to the needs of the recipients. 

“Monetary donations are always the best since we’re a nonprofit organization and we can go shop for exactly what we need to fill,” said Comstock.

Montgomery went on to explain where most of the St. James Food Pantry's inventory comes from.

“Most of our food supply comes from the Food Bank in Columbia,” Montgomery said. “In 2025, our allocation was reduced to 60 percent, creating a significant shortfall.” 

Donations can be made through the website, which are then spent locally on purchasing items. They also hold a Commodity Day from 7:30-9:30 a.m. every third Thursday of the month.

“To qualify, clients must reside within the St. James School District and complete pre-registration, including photo ID for the head of household, documentation of family members, and two pieces of mail less than 30 days old verifying residency,” Montgomery said.  

Hutcheson Ford in St. James is holding their “Let’s Fill the Wagon for December Commodity Day,” where people can donate nonperishable goods or canned foods that will be used to fill a wagon. According to their website, items can be dropped off at Hutcheson Ford’s showroom now through Dec. 13 to support the St. James Caring Center.

The Meramec Community Mission Food Pantry in Sullivan is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first, second, third, and fourth Tuesdays of each month. They also have government commodities that are given out on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. 

The Meramec Community Mission Thrift Shop is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Saturday. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact them directly at 573-468-5813 or make monetary donations, so purchases may be tailored to community needs. 

Any clothing or food donations should be made during open hours before 2:30 p.m., when the donation acceptance window closes. All sales go to purchasing food for the food pantry and operational expenses. To receive updates on community events like local food drives, assistance information or weather updates for the food pantry, visit their Facebook page.