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Kevin & Liz win AFP Award

Kevin & Liz win AFP Award

November 15, 2016 in Harvest Time Newsletter

Back in 1999, Kevin Howard and Liz Delany never imagined a new on-air fundraiser for Ozarks Food Harvest would be a success – let alone raise $1.66 million over the next 18 years.

“The first time we did Hungerthon, we had no idea what we were doing. We didn’t even really have a goal, we just wanted to get out there and do it,” said Howard, one part of The Kevin & Liz Show on 105.9 KGBX. Co-host Delany added, “We were just praying that people would respond.”

The duo’s efforts paid off, raising $12,500 that year. And this year, the 18th annual Hungerthon raised a record $140,447 for children in the Weekend Backpack Program.

Howard, Delany and iHeartMedia’s 105.9 KGBX were honored as the 2016 Outstanding Philanthropic Media Organization at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon last month hosted by the Ozarks Region Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

The radio team thanked Ozarks Food Harvest for the opportunity to make a difference. Howard shared that he originally went into radio to meet celebrities, but his proudest moments on air have been spent helping feed hungry kids.

Delany said, “It’s really unbelievable how many children go hungry here every night. One in four children are going to be affected by food insecurity and as a parent, it just breaks your heart thinking that there is a child going to bed hungry.”

In addition to hosting Hungerthon, Ozarks Food Harvest’s largest annual fundraiser, iHeartMedia supports the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield, Ronald McDonald House and the Doula Foundation.