News

Once a year, around 2,300 volunteers from businesses and organizations across the Ozarks take time out of their work day to help more than 100 nonprofits during United Way’s Day of Caring.

The day of giving back, now 25 years old, took place this year on June 22. Ozarks Food Harvest was honored to have 381 volunteers. By the end of the day, they donated 630 hours to provide over 68,600 meals to children, families and seniors in the Ozarks.

Nearly 22,000 pounds of nonperishable food was sorted in the Volunteer Center; 1,320 Senior Food boxes were assembled; over 8,500 pounds of food was distributed at a Mobile Food Pantry; 301 pounds of carrots and green beans were harvested at The Food Bank’s garden, more vegetables such as onions, purple potatoes and snap peas were planted and garden beds were weeded; 1,633 pounds of food and $1,737 was collected through drives at area Walmart stores; and over 1,733 notes of encouragement were written to kids who receive food through the Weekend Backpack Program.

“Since it was our 25th anniversary, we were thrilled to see so much community support,” said Jill Finney, vice president of communication and volunteers at United Way of the Ozarks.

“This event is a huge community effort, which just seemed super-sized this year. It takes a team of volunteer committee members to plan for months. It takes sponsors to support the event financially. And, of course, it takes volunteers to get out and do the work in the community.”

Heartfelt thanks to the groups that gave of their time to OFH: 3M, American National Insurance, Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., Bancsource, Chase Card Services, CoxHealth Business Connections, Creekside at Elfindale, Greene County MU Extension Office, Springfield-Greene County Health Department, Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management, Penmac Staffing and Phelps Center for Gifted Education.