In 1984, compassionate people in Nevada, Missouri, wanted to feed their neighbors who were experiencing hunger. Over time, these individuals noticed other needs—like a lack of employment and educational opportunities—in their community. With goals of feeding and supporting their local neighbors, these generous people created Nevada Community Outreach.
We’re so grateful for all of the organizations, businesses, families and individuals that host fund drives on behalf of Ozarks Food Harvest. Did you know that these partnerships bring in more than $100,000 in donations every year? Fund drives are very important to The Food Bank—and they serve as a simple way to raise funds and awareness for the issue of hunger.
Ozarks Food Harvest encountered several challenges and successes over the past fiscal year, which ran from July 2019 to July 2020. As we press on through the rest of 2020, I want to take a moment to reflect.
Everyone has been affected by the pandemic in one way or another. Some have lost jobs, others have lost family members and friends. A handful of local businesses have shuttered, and the way we interact socially has changed drastically.
With a passion for nonprofit work, Cindy Hawdon focuses on giving back. After retiring from a career in commercial insurance, Cindy settled in Springfield and connected with Ozarks Food Harvest to help with a need she saw in the community.
For years, Rick was a healthy, active man with a full life. He worked at the Walmart Auto Care Center in Branson and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. In late 2018, he left work early one day, feeling a little bit under the weather. He didn’t think much of it and planned to return to work when he felt better.