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Library District’s 2^nd annual food drive will feed thousands

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— The Springfield-Greene County Library District collected 8,357 pounds of food to benefit Ozarks Food Harvest through the second annual Food for Fines food drive held during the last week of January.

During the week-long food drive, Library District patrons could receive a 50-cent credit on their library fine balance for each donated item of non-perishable food. Participants brought food to all ten Library branches and the bookmobile during business hours, and there was no limit so patrons could pay off all of their fines.

“Food for Fines gives the Library District a fun way to partner with Ozarks Food Harvest and double the benefits — Library patrons get a break on their library fines, and their food donations help feed thousands of their hungry neighbors across the Ozarks,” said Library District spokeswoman Kathleen O’Dell.

The more than four tons of food will provide nearly 6,500 meals to Ozarks Food Harvest’s network of more than 300 member food pantries and feeding sites.

“Food for Fines has become one of The Food Bank’s top five annual food drives,” said Lindsey Neddenriep, PR coordinator at Ozarks Food Harvest. “For just a week-long food drive event, this amount is amazing. We can’t thank The Library and its supporters enough for their continued efforts to help feed our neighbors in need.”

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About Ozarks Food Harvest—The Food Bank
Ozarks Food Harvest is the only food bank in southwest Missouri, serving more than 300 hunger relief organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank reaches more than 14,000 individuals weekly and distributes nine million pounds of food annually. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org and at facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest.