In 2024, Least Of These, Inc. continued its work as a cornerstone of hope and support in southwest Missouri, serving 14,460 families and 42,903 individuals. The holiday season highlighted the growing need, with 1,252 families receiving assistance in December. Executive Director Kristy Carter and her team of 300 dedicated volunteers and six staff members have built more than just a food pantry—they have fostered a community rooted in compassion, empowerment and dignity.
For families seeking help, the process begins with a warm conversation. Each family fills out an application and then meets with Michele Pierce, director of client services, who carefully discusses their needs and guides them through a personalized food selection process. "This is our next phase of love," Kristy explains. "Families likely have other issues and concerns that they need help with and building relationships and trust allows us to connect them with resources."
The food pantry operates by appointment, ensuring that families are welcomed without the stress of waiting. During each visit, families complete a food sheet for the next month, empowering them to select items that suit their tastes and dietary needs. Volunteers also visit families to better understand their situations, providing another layer of connection and care.
“Providing food is our number one priority, but building those relationships is equally important,” says Kristy. “We’re going to treat them all like our own families.”
This self-select approach reduces waste while also enhancing the dignity of those served. "This is another way to empower them," Carter explains. "It provides a sense of control when so much feels uncertain."
The pantry also emphasizes fresh produce, working with partners to secure high-quality fruits and vegetables. Kristy is particularly proud of the fresh potatoes offered during the holidays and the recipe cards they distribute to inspire wholesome meals and items used well. “We make sure families get all the ingredients they need,” she adds. “It’s another way for us to connect and spread joy.”
The face of food insecurity is changing, with Least Of These seeing an increase in senior citizens and working families seeking assistance. Nearly 9,000 seniors were served in 2024, many struggling with rising costs on fixed incomes. "So many are on a fixed income, but rents are up, gas is up, food is up," Kristy notes. "Seniors have no way to increase their incomes and there is nowhere for them to turn."
At the same time, dual-income families are finding it harder to make ends meet. While a minimum wage increase in Missouri is a step forward, Kristy points out that it’s not enough to cover essentials like daycare and food for a family of three. “These are the families we’re seeing the biggest increase with,” she says. “I don’t know the answer, but this isn’t sustainable.”
The economic challenges have even brought former donors to the food line. Kristy’s message to them is simple: “Let us help you. Come here, and let us get you started.”
Beyond food, Least Of These seeks to address the deeper needs of the families they serve. Using its many connections, the pantry connects families with additional resources. “We don’t necessarily meet these needs ourselves, but we have built collaborative relationships with partners in southwest Missouri that do,” Kristy explains.
The organization’s commitment to fostering relationships extends to celebrating milestones and offering spiritual support. “The communication we have with families allows us to celebrate with them and gives us a chance to pray with them,” says Carter. She recalls one family navigating the challenges of generational poverty and a father’s stage-four cancer diagnosis. "The daughter said she needed to know that we were praying for them. That’s the kind of connection we strive for."
Operating solely on donations, Least Of These stretches every dollar to maximize its impact. It also partners with Ozarks Food Harvest, Convoy of Hope and Associated Wholesale Grocers to stretch its dollars as far as possible. Monetary contributions are the most effective way to support their mission, but volunteers are equally essential. From parking cars and pushing carts to stocking shelves, every role contributes to the pantry’s success in feeding people and changing lives.
Kristy emphasizes the importance of teamwork. "We have a great team that works hard to get those items and make those dollars stretch," she says.
Least Of These is more than a place to pick up groceries. It’s a community where trust is built, dignity is restored, and hope is spread. Through their unwavering commitment to serving others, Kristy and her team are making a profound difference in the lives of thousands. "Relationships allow us to dig deeper and help get families to sustainability," she says.
In a time of growing need, Least Of These remains a shining example of how compassion and connection can transform lives.
Least Of These is more than a place to pick up groceries. It’s a community where trust is built, dignity is restored, and hope is spread. Through their unwavering commitment to serving others, Kristy and her team are making a profound difference in the lives of thousands.