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1What
is Ozarks Food Harvest?
It is the only food bank in southwest Missouri, and provides food to a network of more than 300 agency partners such as food pantries, shelters, senior centers, low-income daycares, domestic violence centers and more across 28 counties in the Ozarks—one-third of the state of Missouri! In addition to The Food Bank’s distribution of approximately 8.5 million pounds of food annually, it offers several direct service programs such as the Weekend Backpack Program™, Kids Cafe® and the Mobile Food Pantry™. Ozarks Food Harvest was named the 2009 Charitable Organization of the Year for its impact on southwest Missouri’s regional economy.
2What’s
the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
A
food bank is a warehouse that collects and distributes food to charities
such as food pantries which, in turn, provide clients with food
and supplies.
3Can
the hungry get food directly from The Food Bank?
No. The food is collected, stored and repackaged at Ozarks Food Harvest’s warehouse. The food is then distributed to qualified 501(c)(3) charities that directly serve those in need. These organizations, or member agencies, receive food from The Food Bank for distribution to their clients. For a listing of emergency food assistance sites, call (417) 865-3411 or visit the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief, the home of Ozarks Food Harvest.
4How
does The Food Bank get food?
Local and regional producers, growers, distributors and retailers donate food to Ozarks Food Harvest. National food donations also come to The Food Bank via Feeding America™—the nation’s leading domestic hunger relief charity and nationwide food bank network—and through federal government subsidies. A host of local groups in the community also hold food drives for Ozarks Food Harvest to collect food rich in protein, which donated foods tend to lack. Food drives also bring in nutritious garden produce for The Food Bank to distribute to its agency members.
5How
is the food distributed?
Food arrives at The Food Bank and is inspected, sorted, labeled and stored at the warehouse for repacking and distribution. Ozarks Food Harvest delivers directly to member agencies and prepares order for agencies to pick up.
6How
much of my donation goes directly to feed people who are hungry?
Of
every dollar donated to Ozarks Food Harvest, 95 cents goes directly
to feeding hungry people in the Ozarks.
7How
many people will I feed with my donation?
For every dollar donated to The Food Bank it provides $10 worth of food and services.
8Is
Ozarks Food Harvest a 501 (c)(3) organization?
Yes.
The Food Bank is an independent 501(c)(3) organization, and is governed
by a voluntary Board of Directors.
9Where
does The Food Bank get funding?
Ozarks Food Harvest is supported through individual donations and support from foundations and community partners. For more information about giving options or to make a donation, contact Development Director for Ozarks Food Harvest, Denise Gibson, at (417) 865-3411.
10Where
is The Food Bank located?
The
warehouse is located
at 2810 N. Cedarbrook Ave. in Springfield, Missouri in the North Creek Industrial Park in North
Springfield. The mailing address is P.O. Box 5746, Springfield, MO 65801-5746.
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