Media

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Walgreens in Springfield, Branson, Nixa, Ozark, Republic and Lebanon are placing food donation barrels in stores Monday, February 19 through Monday, February 26, 2007, to benefit Ozarks Food Harvest after the recent ice storms and demand for emergency food assistance.

Ozarks Food Harvest, the only food bank serving 29 counties in Southwest Missouri, shipped more than half a million pounds of food in the two weeks following the ice storms that devastated communities across the Ozarks. The Food Bank also dipped into its cash reserves to procure more food shipments to the area. Costs of Ozarks Food Harvest’s disaster response efforts are estimated to top $250,000.

“We are grateful to our network of supporters, including Walgreens who has stepped up to help us so that we can continue to supply our member agencies with food to meet the needs of their communities,” Denise Gibson, Development and Communications Director of Ozarks Food Harvest, said.

Community members can donate food to any of the listed area Walgreens, or disaster relief donations can be sent to Ozarks Food Harvest, 615 N. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65802.  A secure online donation can be made at www.ozarksfoodharvest.org.

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To learn more, contact Lindsey Neddenriep at (417) 865-3411.