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Hunger Action Month aims to raise awareness and funds for The Food Bank’s Weekend Backpack Program

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Ozarks Food Harvest is asking the community for help in September to raise awareness and funds for families facing hunger in southwest Missouri. The funds raised through The Food Bank’s Hunger Action Month events and partnerships will benefit the Weekend Backpack Program that provides at-risk children with meals every weekend of the school year.

Hunger Action Month is part of Feeding America’s nationwide campaign to mobilize the public to take action against hunger in the community. In southwest Missouri, 1 in 5 children and 1 in 6 adults face hunger.

“The effects of COVID-19 remain in our community, and we’re asking for help to get families on the road to recovery,” said Bart Brown, Ozarks Food Harvest’s president/CEO. “Making a donation, scheduling a volunteer session or supporting one of our partners are all ways to help our neighbors in need right now.”

Ozarks Food Harvest distributes nearly 58,000 backpacks annually across its 28-county service area. A monthly donation of $30 or a one-time donation of $360 will sponsor a child with weekend meals for an entire school year.

The Food Bank has several ways for the community to get involved in the fight against hunger in September. Participants can find more information about local partnerships and events at hungeractionmonth.info.

• Hunger Action Month kickoff with Best of Luck Beer Hall is Sept. 1. Participants can help celebrate Hunger Action Month by purchasing a 4×4 beer to support Ozarks Food Harvest’s Weekend Backpack Program.
• 23rd annual Hungerthon with iHeartRadio Springfield is Sept. 10 through Sept. 13. Tune in to Alice 95.5, US97, 100.5 The Wolf and 105.9 KGBX to listen for dollar-for-dollar matches that will double your impact for the Weekend Backpack Program.
• Empty Bowls with Panera Bread is Sept. 24. Participants can bid on bowls handcrafted by local artists with proceeds benefitting the Weekend Backpack Program. Participants can also bid on bowls online from Sept. 20 through Sept. 23.
• Tea Bar & Bites Apron Fashion Show and Silent Auction is Sept. 30. Participants can bid on handmade and vintage aprons as well as items from local shops with proceeds benefiting the Weekend Backpack Program. Participants can also bid on items online from Sept. 27 through Sept. 29.

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About Ozarks Food Harvest — The Food Bank
Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 270 hunger-relief organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank provides 22 million meals annually to more than 261,000 unduplicated individuals. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.