Media

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— The Gannett Foundation awarded $3,000 to Ozarks Food Harvest this month to fund its Club F.U.N.™ and “Power of Choice” youth programs.

The Food Bank’s Club F.U.N.™ (Fitness, Understanding, Health and Nutrition) and “Power of Choice” children’s nutritional education programs treat and prevent obesity in the Ozarks by providing low-income or at-risk children nutrition and fitness education, and giving them the knowledge they need to make informed health choices.

“This program is invaluable to the improvement of our community because there are 50,000 children in the Ozarks who live in poverty,” said Denise Gibson, Director of Development and Communications. “The information children and pre-teens who graduate from the programs learn will allow them to more aggressively combat the cycle of obesity and improve the future of our entire community.”

Last year, OFH expanded its one pilot site into 12 sites. The Food Bank plans to expand the program with three more sites; two additional sites in Springfield Boys and Girls Clubs and one in the newest Kids Cafe^® site in Salem.

The Gannett Foundation, a corporate foundation sponsored by Gannett Co., Inc., gives grants to communities in which Gannett owns a daily newspaper or television station.  In Springfield, Gannett owns The Springfield News-Leader.

The Gannett Foundation and the News-Leader value projects that take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

# # #

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