A material flow assist mechanism for a feed hopper using a vertically aligned rotating auger includes a frame, the frame having a pair of spaced apart first and second telescoping arms attached to frame, and a connector to link a shaft of a motor to the auger for auger and material flow assist mechanism rotation. Each of first and second telescoping arms have an elongated member mounted to a plate-containing end portion of each respective first and second telescoping arms. Rotation of the material flow assist mechanism by the motor rotates the first and second elongated members for material dispensing out a hopper. Dispensing of the material from the hopper results in extension of portions of the first and second telescoping arms such that the elongated members and plate travel with a top portion of the material as the top portion of the material in the hopper descends during dispensing.