This summer will mark eight years since moving into our distribution facility, the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief. The move was the result of a four-year capital campaign that was only possible because of the generosity of so many, including you, our supporter and friend.
Although it doesn’t seem that long ago, it’s incredible to think about the growth we have been able to achieve because of the space afforded to us in our current building. In summer 2009, we had just ended a fiscal year where we distributed nearly seven million pounds of food. This year we’re on track to provide more than 17 million pounds of food.
Greetings from the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief!
Along with my friends at Ozarks Food Harvest, I want to share how pleased I am to be a part of the Ending Hunger, Building Hope capital campaign. This is an opportunity for important growth to meet the needs of the men, women and children in southwest Missouri who struggle with the harsh reality of hunger.
More than 10 years ago I became involved with the original capital campaign to build Ozarks Food Harvest’s current facility. My family and I realized the great need for a larger food bank with more space to accept and process donations and better equipment to serve the need. With this in mind, my family made a gift to support that critical campaign.
Helping the community and being a Boy Scout go hand-in-hand.
Kurtis Grothoff, district executive for the Boy Scouts of America in Springfield and surrounding areas, sees the benefits from Scouts partnering with nonprofits to address pressing needs.
Here at Ozarks Food Harvest, we rely on monthly supporters to help us provide over 15 million meals each year to our neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet.
This is why we created Harvest Circle, a special community of our dedicated donors who make monthly gifts to provide a steady stream of funds for The Food Bank.
Becoming a member of Harvest Circle is beneficial for donors and The Food Bank. One reason is for the sake of effectiveness. Your monthly commitment helps us plan ahead, budget efficiently and respond to needs.
Last year was record-breaking for Ozarks Food Harvest’s Glean Team! Thanks to compassionate volunteers who donated 3,508 hours, we gleaned 25,308 pounds of produce in 2016.
It takes all of us to tackle the issue of hunger in our community. This is why we are asking our supporters to pledge to help us provide food for 261,300 people this year.
It is an unfortunate fact that too many of our neighbors in southwest Missouri are food insecure, and often have to make hard choices when it comes to being able to have nutritious food.