Ozarks Food Harvest donates 7 millionth meal to CAM-Branson in celebration of 38-year partnership
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Ozarks Food Harvest donated their 7 millionth meal to Christian Action Ministries on Tuesday in celebration of their 38-year-long partnership. Through their partnership with Ozarks Food Harvest, Christian Action Ministries distributes USDA food, Senior Boxes, fresh produce and additional food items to more than 1,500 families each month.
The Food Bank is celebrating milestones for its network of 270 faith-based and community charities spread across a third of the state of Missouri. Christian Action Ministries, a leading food pantry in Taney County, was chosen as the third network partner to be celebrated due to their long history with The Food Bank and their efforts to end hunger in Taney County.
“Christian Action Ministries is an integral part of our mission to Transform Hunger into Hope in southwest Missouri,” said Bart Brown, president and CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest. “We’re proud to honor them and the efforts they’ve made to end hunger in Taney County.”
On average, Christian Action Ministries has seen a 15% increase in need for food assistance compared to this same time last year. August 2024 was a record-breaking month as they served over 7,000 families.
“Without the assistance provided by the food pantry, many families would have to choose between groceries, rent, utilities and healthcare,” said Michele Dean, executive director of Christian Action Ministries. ““We are so grateful for the work that Ozarks Food Harvest does to support pantries like ours all across the region.”
Since 2008, Ozarks Food Harvest has provided more than $50,000 in grant funding and 8 million pounds of food to Christian Action Ministries in Branson. Ozarks Food Harvest also delivers food, door-to-door, free of charge to its network of faith-based and community partners to ensure they can focus on feeding families.
If you are interested in volunteering or donating, please visit Christian Action Ministries website at christianactionministries.org.
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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 faith-based and community charities across a third of Missouri. The Food Bank reaches 70,000 individuals monthly and provides more than 20 million meals annually. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or instagram.com/ozarksfoodharvest.
About Christian Action Ministries (CAM)
Christian Action Ministries has served to combat food insecurity in Taney County since 1984. Last year, more than 70,000 individual cases of assistance were recorded – meaning nearly 828,000 meals were provided through 1.6 million pounds of food distributed. The food pantries are funded by donations from individuals, churches, and businesses in the community and staffed by the dozens of faithful volunteers who contribute their time and talents to serve their neighbors. The ministry’s mission, vision, and impact in Stone and Taney County is detailed at christianactionministries.org.