Opal Foods provides a back-to-school egg donation to The Food Bank
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Ozarks Food Harvest received a donation of 17,125 dozen eggs from Opal Foods, headquartered in Neosho. This exceeded the company’s annual spring donation by over 54,000 eggs, bringing the total of eggs donated to The Food Bank this year to nearly 357,000.
This donation is a timely one for The Food Bank as families across Ozarks Food Harvest’s 28-county service area continue to struggle to put food on the table. One in four people in southwest Missouri receive food from The Food Bank — over 30,000 individuals every week.
“With the rising price of eggs, this incredible donation could not come at a better time for local families struggling to make ends meet,” said Denise Gibson, Ozarks Food Harvest Development and Communication Director.
Jerry Welch, General Manager of Opal Foods, said with school back in session, a high-quality, protein-filled breakfast is the best way to begin the school day.
“Research shows that a protein-packed breakfast helps students sustain both mental and physical energy throughout the day,” he said. “Opal Foods is proud to partner with Ozarks Food Harvest and to supply a ‘back to school’ egg donation for families in the Ozarks.”
The Food Bank has received over 850,000 eggs from Opal Foods since the partnership began in 2008.
“Protein-rich foods are essential for The Food Bank to provide healthy and nutritious meals to children, families and seniors in need,” said OFH’s Gibson. “We’re grateful for Opal Foods and its commitment to fighting hunger in the Ozarks.”
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Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 200 organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank distributes more than 13.6 million meals annually to 260,000 unduplicated individuals. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.