As Congress grapples with the government shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is at risk of running out of funding. According to a press release by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, SNAP benefits for the month of November will not been issued until further notice.
According to WAPT, 10.7% of households in Oktibbeha County received SNAP benefits in 2023. Additionally, about 29% of college students at four-year colleges experienced food insecurity in the fall of 2020, according to the Hope Center.
Below is a list of organizations across Starkville and Mississippi State University that offer emergency food assistance.
This is a working list and will be updated with new information.
Resources On Mississippi State University Campus
Bully’s Pantry
120 Morgan Avenue, Mississippi State, MS, 39762
Hours: Monday through Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Open to all MSU students, this pantry provides food, hygiene products and school supplies
Bully’s Pantry Vending Machine
Colvard Student Union
Hours: Sunday through Saturday. 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Open to all MSU students. The vending machine is located under the stairs on the first floor of the union near the P.O.D., and it can be accessed using an MSU student ID.
Block by Block
This program is designed to provide short-term food assistance to students in need. More details can be found at the MSU Food Security Network website.
Maroon Meals
This program notifies MSU students when free food is available on campus. Students can sign up for alerts at my.msstate.edu under the “Maroon Meals” segment.
Local Resources
Starkville Strong
109 South Lafayette Street, Starkville, MS 39759
662.314.4648
Starkville Strong provides numerous resources for people in need of assistance with food, housing, jobs, health and many other situations. Below are some of the resources they offer.
Little Pantries
Each location has a box stocked with food and hygiene items.
- Wilson Street (Across from FUMC Church)
- Episcopal Church Office (University Drive)
- Harned St. (Between Wesley Foundation & Campus Book Mart)
- The Discovery Center – 1504 Louisville St, Starkville, MS
- J.L. King Center – 700 North Long St, Starkville, MS
- Boys and Girls Club – 911 Lynn Lane, Starkville, MS
- Starkville Presbyterian Church – 280 Linden Circle, Starkville, MS
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Food is distributed on the fourth Sunday of every month at 1:00 p.m., across from the Habitat Restore in the public parking lot.
Casserole Kitchen
319 University Drive, Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 617-1060
Free, hot meals are served on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m.
Bridgeway Church Community Closet
405 N Jackson Street, Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 323-1448
Hours: Every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Provides those in need with fresh produce, milk, eggs and other food items. Those interested are encouraged to call ahead. Bring a photo ID.
Giving Hands Food Pantry at Friendship Baptist Church
5491 Craig Springs Rd, Sturgis, MS 39769
(662) 418-0429
Peter’s Rock Church of God in Christ
223 Martin Luther King Drive, Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 617-8118
Hours: Every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Distributes food to families in need. Partnered with the Mississippi Food Network.
Pine Lake Care Center
200 MS-25, Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 324-7773
Hours: First and third Thursday of every month from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Distributes bags of food, limited to one bag per month. Must bring a photo ID.
Rock Hill United Methodist Church
4457 Rockhill Rd, Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 323-8871
Hours: Every Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Distributes bags of food, limited to one bag per month. Bring a photo ID.
Salvation Army
407A Industrial Rd, Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 324-3304
The food pantry is available by appointment only.
St. Joseph Food Pantry
607 University Drive, Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 323-2257
Hours: First Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Families may receive bags of nonperishable food after completing an application, which verifies they qualify for food assistance. The amount of food will be based on income and family size. Applications can be printed out from here or can be filled out at the food pantry during a distribution day.
