News

Ozarks Food Harvest is extremely thankful for every individual, foundation and business that contributed during the 22nd annual Hungerthon. The Food Bank and iHeartRadio Springfield teamed up with the community to raise funds for the Weekend Backpack Program. The four-day radiothon collected a record-breaking $253,426, which will provide 704 children with nutritious meals and snacks every weekend of the school year.

Listeners tuned in to Alice 95.5, US97, 100.5 The Wolf and 105.9 KGBX from Sept. 11 through Sept. 14. Members of the community donated by phone and online. This generosity has allowed the Weekend Backpack Program to serve more than 1,600 children at 60 schools in southwest Missouri each year. Thanks to this year’s record total, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic will not limit the scope of the program.

Event donations were matched by individuals, businesses and foundations including AECI with a match from CoBank, AnswerForce, Anthem, CoxHealth, DairiConcepts, Fireworks Supermarket, Heart of America Beverage Company, Kum & Go Charitable Fund, MassMutual, Nancy Jester, Ron & Janice Penney, SRC, Lezah & Ron Stenger and Yahweh’s Place at Cedarville. Several local businesses including Jersey Mike’s, Air Services All Services, Hy-Vee, Creative Car Audio, Morrison, Webster & Carlton, Geico, Fazoli’s, Youngblood Honda and McKowen Family Dental served as event sponsors.

The outcome of Hungerthon 2020 means a lot to us and will help so many kids in the Ozarks. Thank you!