Archives for November, 2015

7 Billion Ones: Pastor John’s Story

7 Billion Ones: Pastor John’s Story

November 30, 2015 in 7 Billion Ones

In today’s world, where many of us are working ourselves to the bone to buy the dream home, fancy cars and materialistic things, we often come up stressed and empty. Often, the pursuit of the dollar doesn’t bring true joy and peace. Maybe we can learn something from Pastor John as he shows us that having a purpose to help others is more fulfilling than anything money can buy.

“My wife and I had been pastoring and working in our denomination’s headquarters for more than 25 years when I felt God pulling me back to the front lines. Where light meets dark. It was a huge step of faith and it changed everything – for the good.

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7 Billion Ones: Cortez’s Story

7 Billion Ones: Cortez’s Story

November 21, 2015 in 7 Billion Ones

Today, Cortez Villanueva is in the business of feeding hungry souls. Every Sunday morning, the 47-year-old man can be found in the kitchen at Ozarks Food Harvest member agency Crimson House Ministries stirring pots, baking biscuits and frying meats to feed the homeless who gather around Commercial Street. But 25 years ago, his life revolved around a different hunger game – drugs. Marijuana and crack cocaine were the “food” he was feeding to hungry addicts until he was arrested and sent to prison, serving 17 of a 20-year sentence.

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King’s Pantry benefits from nutrition program

King’s Pantry benefits from nutrition program

November 16, 2015 in Agency Spotlight

The savory smells coming out of the kitchen at The King’s Pantry in Seymour drew more than a little attention from clients waiting to “shop” for their groceries on a recent Thursday.

Those smells were part of a new program offered by the University of Missouri Extension Service in Webster County. Amber Williams, a nutrition program associate, selects a quick, simple recipe using four or five ingredients — all available to clients at the pantry. Then she whips it up for everyone to taste and smell.

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Cans for Coffee collects 20,000 pounds of food

Cans for Coffee collects 20,000 pounds of food

November 15, 2015 in Food drive Harvest Time Newsletter

The eighth annual McDonald’s Cans for Coffee food drive collected nearly 20,000 pounds of food for Ozarks Food Harvest.

Cans for Coffee is not only important to helping provide food to hungry Missourians, but it also draws awareness to the complex issue of hunger in our community,” shared Denise Gibson, OFH development and communication director.

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Veteran’s life marked by service

Veteran’s life marked by service

November 10, 2015 in Volunteer Spotlight

Freeman Kleier’s life has been marked by service to others. First to his country, and now to those struggling with hunger in the Ozarks.

He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1955 at 18 years old. “We went on our senior trip and I went home the next morning to go to Kansas City to be sworn in.”

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Springfield students collect 36,000 pounds of donations during Food Fight

Springfield students collect 36,000 pounds of donations during Food Fight

November 5, 2015 in Donation drive Food drive

Twenty-eight Springfield Public Schools and 16 businesses and community partners battled in Ozarks Food Harvest’s fifth annual Food Fight competition, collecting over 36,000 pounds of donations which will provide more than 30,000 meals to hungry children, families and seniors this holiday season.

This year, the food and funds collected were sent directly to Ozarks Food Harvest’s partner food pantries in Greene County, including four SPS school pantries.

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