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Each fall, my team organizes Hunger Action Month, a 30-day campaign to encourage community members to take action against hunger.

Although the campaign takes a lot of planning and preparation, it makes it all worth it when I see how the community comes together to help its neighbors.

Hungerthon, our largest fundraiser of the year, raised $140,447. It was great to visit with so many long-time supporters of the event who continue to be motivated by our mission to help kids come back to school on Mondays with full stomachs.

I am so thankful for my friends Kevin Howard, Liz Delany and the entire iHeartMedia staff for putting on this event for the 18th year. Read on page two about the sponsors who helped make this event a success.

In addition to Hungerthon, we hosted Empty Bowls with Panera Bread, Iron Chef with Farmers Market of the Ozarks and Apron Fashion Show with Tea Bar & Bites Bakery and Café. The generous partners who stand by our mission are what allows this month of events to make such a difference for those in need.

Jayden, a 10-year-old who receives food through the Weekend Backpack Program, said, “Thank you for the food bags. You made our day bright.”

Your support made this the best Hunger Action Month yet. Because of your gifts, children like Jayden won’t have to worry where their next meal is coming from.

Denise Gibson is the director of Development and Communication at Ozarks Food Harvest.