News

I am honored to announce that last month I was named this year’s Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Ozarks Region Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Although I was the one presented this award, it truly belongs to all of us. Your continued generosity is dear to my heart. Without supporters like you, this achievement would not be possible.

Throughout my 12 years at Ozarks Food Harvest, your loyalty to our work continues to amaze me.

Before working at Ozarks Food Harvest, I had no idea what a food bank was, and was even more shocked to learn that so many people in my hometown were going hungry. It was truly hard to believe that children were going home to empty cupboards on the weekends, families working full-time were not making enough to buy groceries and seniors who had worked hard and saved their entire lives were finding themselves without enough money to buy the basic necessities.

During my time at Ozarks Food Harvest, I’ve had the great pleasure of implementing new marketing, communication and grant strategies that strengthened the overall financial health of Ozarks Food Harvest. I’m proud to have helped grow this critical organization into what it is today. But I did not do it alone.

Without your faithfulness, we would not be able to serve over 260,000 children, families and seniors throughout the Ozarks each year.

But the fight against hunger is not over.

With one in six individuals, and one in four children, not knowing where their next meal will come from, the need for your gift of food, funds and time is great.

We are able to provide for families in need because of your dedication. Thank you for all that you do to support the work of Ozarks Food Harvest in southwest Missouri.

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