Media

The Food Bank celebrates Hunger Action Month with 200 Feeding America food banks nationwide

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Ozarks Food Harvest’s Hunger Action Month is part of a nationwide campaign across Feeding America food banks designed to mobilize the public to take action against this widespread issue. Events will be held throughout September to raise awareness and give individuals the opportunity to take part in the local effort of solving hunger.

According to the USDA, 42 million Americans are food insecure. In Ozark Food Harvest’s 28-county service area, one in five children and one in seven adults may go hungry.

“Hunger Action Month is a great way for the community to get involved in the fight against hunger,” said Bart Brown, Ozarks Food Harvest’s president/CEO. “With the help of our generous donors and community partners, we were able to infuse more than $36 million worth of food and funds into our community last year.”

Ozarks Food Harvest will host and participate in several events to raise food, funds and awareness for The Food Bank’s programs and its network of 270 hunger-relief organizations across southwest Missouri. Ozarks Food Harvest staff have also created a 30 Ways in 30 Days calendar that gives one idea to help fight hunger for every day in September.

• 20th annual Hungerthon on 105.9 KGBX is Friday, Sept. 7 through Monday, Sept. 10, when iHeartMedia with Kevin & Liz team up with The Food Bank to raise money on-air for the Weekend Backpack Program.
• Go Orange Day is Sept. 13. Hunger advocates can wear orange—the symbolic color of hunger—and post their support on social media using the hashtag #HungerActionMonth and #HungerHeroes.
• Tea Bar & Bites’ Apron Fashion Show and Silent Auction is Sept. 20, with proceeds from auction items benefiting The Food Bank. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased online or at Tea Bar & Bites at
  621 S. Pickwick Ave.
• Empty Bowls with Panera Bread will raise awareness for the issue of hunger while supporting The Food Bank on Friday, Sept. 28 at the Panera on Campbell from 4-8 p.m. Event-goers can make a donation to receive a bowl created by a local artist as well as a meal of soup and bread.

About Ozarks Food Harvest — The Food Bank
Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, providing food to 270 organizations across 28 Ozarks counties serving 261,000 unduplicated individuals. The Food Bank provides more than 17 million meals annually. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.