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SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Hunger doesn’t end when the holiday season is over.

Ozarks Food Harvest has an urgent need for volunteers to accept, sort and repack food donations received during the holidays.

The Food Bank continues to receive food donations, but sees fewer volunteers to help process food after the New Year. Ozarks Food Harvest asks community members to consider giving the gift of time by scheduling a volunteer session at The Food Bank’s Volunteer Center at 2810 N. Cedarbrook Ave. in North Springfield.

“A New Year’s resolution of committing to volunteer just three hours means more than 300 meals provided to our Network of food pantries and feeding sites,” said Jennifer Sickinger, resources recruitment coordinator at Ozarks Food Harvest. “The New Year provides the perfect opportunity for individuals and groups to get involved in hunger relief in our community.”

Weekday volunteers are always needed Monday–Thursday from 9 am–3 pm and on Friday from 9 am–12 pm. Evening sessions are held on Tuesday and Thursday from 6 pm–9 pm. Groups and individuals are also welcome on Saturday from 9am–1 pm. All volunteers must schedule their session in advance, and the youngest volunteer age allowed is 14.

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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—made possible due to its Network of charities and direct-relief programs such as the Weekend Backpack Program™, Kids Cafe® and the Mobile Food Pantry™ program. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org and at facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest.