Gleaners’ Partner Agency Network is made up of hundreds of community partners, including shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries, who host their own programs serving the needs of their unique communities. Together, these partners provide meals and groceries—like fresh produce, lean proteins, and milk—directly to neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
“Our partner agencies are on the front lines, distributing more than 70% of the food we provide each year,” said Mollie Allard, Gleaners’ agency relations manager. “We could have a warehouse full of the highest-quality food, but without our partners, we wouldn’t be able to make sure it fills families’ tables.”
When a USDA funding freeze led to a sudden increase in demand for food assistance in March 2025, the community responded quickly.
“It’s really a testament to the hard work our partners have been doing for decades,” Allard said. “Many extended their hours, accepted more appointments, and increased the amount of food they distributed.”
During the government shutdown in October and November 2025, some sites—like Fish and Loaves Food Pantry—saw demand increase by as much as 300%. Fish and Loaves CEO Stephanie McNees said the community response helped sustain her team during an otherwise chaotic time.
“It was a whirlwind. But it was incredible to see how many people stepped up to help meet the demand. Fall is already a busy season, yet our phone rang off the hook with people wanting to volunteer or host food drives.”
– Stephanie McNees, President and CEO of Fish and Loaves Food Pantry
By making thoughtful use of their own resources and food available through Gleaners’ Holiday Specials Program (see page 3), some partners doubled or even tripled the amount of food they typically offer their communities.
“An unexpected outcome of these disruptions,” Allard said, “was the opportunity for our partners to really shine—reinforcing that they are trusted, dependable resources where neighbors can find food with dignity and compassion.”
Click here to meet some of the partner agencies that are making a difference across our communities.
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