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Charlie O’Reilly: Award highlights The Food Bank’s good work

April 30, 2015 in Charlie's Corner Harvest Time Newsletter

Greetings from the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief! I’m pleased to share with you the good news The Food Bank received last month — for the third consecutive year, Ozarks Food Harvest was awarded the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator.

Only 12 percent of charities in the country have received four star ratings for three consecutive years. This honor comes from the leading nonprofit corporation that evaluates charities across the country.

Ozarks Food Harvest scored 99.7 out of 100 possible points on its rating, and notably was awarded a perfect 100 for its accountability and transparency on how charitable gifts are used and tracked. Consider this along with the fact that 96 cents out of every $1 donated to Ozarks Food Harvest is used for food distribution and programs, and every $1 donated can be leveraged to distribute $10 of food, and you have one of the most powerful stewards of your gifts in the nation.

I have always known that Ozarks Food Harvest is a reputable charity with high performance standards — that’s why I’m proud to support this organization. A distinction like this affirms the good work happening every day at The Food Bank and its network of hunger-relief agencies.

This honor not only demonstrates Ozarks Food Harvest’s transparency, good governance and sound fiscal standing — it means The Food Bank is doing everything it can to solve hunger in the Ozarks and is nationally recognized as a leader for its efforts.

For some families, putting food on the table for their children every night is a challenge.
Bobbie, a mother right here in Springfield, recently told Food Bank staff, “We don’t qualify for food stamps, but we’re just on that line, so some weeks are harder than others.”

The 35-year-old and her husband both work full-time jobs to support six children, but sometimes the paychecks don’t cut it.

Bobbie shared, “Food is our biggest expense. We spend more on groceries than we do on our house payment in a months’ time, so this is awesome. This will help.”

In the last 12 months, Ozarks Food Harvest has distributed more than 16 million pounds of food, providing 13.6 million meals.

That increase in distribution means hard-working moms, like Bobbie, don’t have to skip a meal so their kids can eat. Children will have nutritious meals on the weekend when school lunches are unavailable. And seniors with a fixed income will be able to purchase prescriptions and groceries.

Your help is vital to continue bringing food to those struggling with hunger. Join me in supporting Ozarks Food Harvest and give Bart or Denise a call today.

Charlie O’Reilly is the vice-chair of O’Reilly Automotive’s Board of Directors, a hunger-relief advocate and supporter of Ozarks Food Harvest.