Bates County Community Resource Program

11/13/2025

Just a heads up if you’re looking to process any transactions at the Butler License Office next week.

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Butler License Office will close for transition to new management contract Nov. 17, 18, & 19

JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) has accepted a new management proposal for the Butler License Office.
The contract has been awarded to BPD Holdings, LLC.
The license office, located at 105 North Orange St., will close at the end of business on Monday, November 17, and reopen on Thursday, November 20, at the same location.
The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Phone: (660) 679-0061.
While the office is closed for transition, DOR encourages customers to visit one of the following nearby locations to receive assistance with their motor vehicle and driver licensing needs:
• Harrisonville License Office – 2009 Plaza Dr.
• Clinton License Office – 702 East Ohio St., Suite 4
• Osceola License Office – 210 Olive St.
A full list of license office locations and hours of operation can be found at
https://dor.mo.gov/license-office-locator/.
The following online services are also available:
• Phone-in Registration - to find a license office that accepts phone-in vehicle and watercraft registration renewals.
• License Plate Renewal - to see if your county participates in sharing personal property tax information with DOR.
• Renewal Requirements Inquiry - to obtain information regarding registration renewal requirements.
• DORA Chatbot - to get answers 24/7 with the help of DOR’s chatbot, a virtual assistant programmed to respond to common taxation, motor vehicle, and driver licensing questions.

11/07/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 5, 2025
CONTACT: Baylee.Watts@dss.mo.gov
Missouri Department of Social Services to Issue Partial November SNAP Benefits Following Federal Funding Update
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced today that the state has received official guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services (USDA-FNS) allowing partial funding to issue November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“Last week, we were prepared for the possibility that no benefits could be issued at all,” said Jess Bax, Director of the Missouri DSS. “While we recognize this is not a full restoration, this funding means Missouri families will be able to put food on the table. We will continue to work with our community partners to fill the gap until the shutdown is ended and funding is restored.”
The department will work closely with their EBT vendor to ensure benefits are issued promptly. Further information on the timeline of benefits being issued will be provided by DSS as it is made available.
Additionally, DSS remains in contact with USDA and community partners to ensure families are aware of available food banks, pantries, and local resources that can provide immediate assistance while the federal government works toward a long-term resolution.
Missourians can continue to find up-to-date information and a list of community resources at https://mydss.mo.gov/federal-shutdown-impacts.

11/04/2025

It's that time of year! The Bates County Sheriff's Office is kicking off our yearly Shop with a Deputy Fundraiser to take Bates County children shopping for Christmas!

Now more than ever, so many in our community are struggling financially just to get by, and the holidays only add to the stress. We want to make Christmas less stressful and more enjoyable for families in our community and we need your help!

If you or your business would like to donate to our program, donations can be given to any Bates County Deputy or employee. You can also come by the Sheriff's Office and drop off your donations. Deputies will be out and about in the next few weeks collecting as many donations as possible for the kids of Bates County!

Donations are accepted in the form of cash or checks made payable to Sheriff's Community Benefit Fund.

10/31/2025

They’re also collecting empty and clean, plastic containers. Think, cottage cheese and cool whip tubs. These will be used to send larger portions home, for families.

10/29/2025

If anyone needs a hot meal today, Carpenters Cup is serving up ham and beans and cornbread. It starts around noon and goes until they run out.

10/28/2025

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, some community members are facing challenges, including interruption in pay and loss of SNAP benefits.

Below is a list of food pantries offering support. If you know of any other resources, please share in the comments so we can help spread the word.

No one should have to face hunger alone.

-David’s Cupboard Food Pantry - 315 S. Main S., Archie 816-345-1168
2nd Tuesday of each month 6-8 pm
4th Saturday of each month 9-11 am
-Community Food Pantry of Butler - 709 W. Ohio St., Butler
Open Tuesdays and Wednesday from 8:15-11 am and 12:30-3 pm
-Shepherd’s Staff Pantry - 1311 Sanders St., Harrisonville 816-844-0078
1st and 3rd Fridays each month 2-5:30 pm
-Drexel United Methodist Church - 304 E. Walnut St., Drexel
4th Wednesday of each month 3-4:30 pm
-Bethel Assembly of God - 82 County Road F Highway, Garden City 816-718-7150
2nd Thursday each month 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
-Heart and Hand - 200 B Street, Belton
816-322-1133
Mobile Food Pantry: 2nd Wednesday each month, 2:00 pm Assembly
- Mobile Food Pantry: 4th Saturday each month, 12:00 pm Brook Church
Emergency Food Boxes Available upon request
-Hume Alliance Ministries-12640 SW Main St., Hume 660-643-7637
3rd Saturday of the month, 8:30am-11:30am
3rd Monday of the month 3pm-4pm
-The Samaritan Center-1317 S. Second St., Clinton
660-383-1455
Monday, Thursday, Thursday, and Friday 9am-noon
West Central Community Action Center-St. Clair Co., 112 W. 4th St., Appleton City 660-476-2185 (option 6)
2nd and 4th Wednesday 9am-11am and 1pm-4pm

10/28/2025

If you can help or know someone that can, please do.

10/22/2025

October 15, 2025

New Growth Transit Needs Drivers in Bates County

New Growth Transit is calling for volunteer drivers across Bates County to provide free rides that help residents reach medical appointments and essential destinations. Volunteers set their own schedules and are reimbursed at 70¢ per mile, so they’re never out of pocket.

“Transportation challenges don’t have a one-size-fits-all solution,” said Kelly Ast, Chief Mobility Officer for New Growth Transit. “That’s why we’re proud to complement services like BACO Transport in Bates County. Together, we’re ensuring more people can reach what matters most—whether it’s a quick trip across Butler with BACO or a longer ride to a medical specialist in Kansas City through our volunteer drivers.”

While BACO’s volunteer-based taxi service primarily serves riders within Butler, New Growth Transit extends those efforts by providing longer-distance, countywide rides—especially for residents in rural areas who have few or no other transportation options.

Volunteer driving offers:

A flexible way to give back and stay connected
The joy of helping neighbors stay independent
Simple scheduling with one-on-one support
Mileage reimbursement at $0.70 per mile
Drivers use their own vehicles, set their own hours, and receive training and ongoing support from New Growth Transit staff. No special license is required—just a valid driver’s license and a heart for helping others.

How to get started
Volunteers can call 417-283-7991 or visit newgrowthtransit.org to apply. After a short application and training, approved volunteers can begin accepting rides that fit their availability.

About New Growth Transit
New Growth Transit is a volunteer-driven transportation network serving 11 rural counties in west-central Missouri. As a ride provider for MTM, Missouri’s Medicaid transportation broker, New Growth Transit connects eligible riders to medical appointments. As funding allows, the program also provides free rides for employment, shopping, and community resources—helping bridge the miles between rural neighbors and opportunity.

For more information, call 417-283-7991 or visit newgrowthtransit.org.