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SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Ozarks Food Harvest has earned the highest rating of four out of four possible stars from Charity Navigator, the leading nonprofit corporation that evaluates charities in the United States.

The regional food bank has also received a four-star rating the last three years, indicating Ozarks Food Harvest outperforms most other charities in America. Out of the thousands of charities evaluated by Charity Navigator, only nine percent have received at least four consecutive four-star evaluations.

“It is important our donors trust that we’re using our funding wisely to accomplish Ozarks Food Harvest’s mission of transforming hunger into hope,” said Bart Brown, President/CEO of The Food Bank. “Our 4-star Charity Navigator rating demonstrates to our supporters that we take our fiduciary and governance responsibilities very seriously.”

Ozarks Food Harvest has a 33-year history of food banking in southwest Missouri, providing food, funds and services to more than 200 charities and programs throughout the Ozarks. The Food Bank leverages every dollar donated to $10 worth of food and services, and $0.96 of every dollar gifted goes directly to feeding children, families and seniors in need across 28 counties.

“Ozarks Food Harvest’s coveted 4-star rating puts it in a very select group of high-performing charities,” according to Michael Thatcher, President/CEO of Charity Navigator. “Out of the thousands of nonprofits Charity Navigator evaluates, only one out of four earns 4 stars – a rating that demands rigor, responsibility and commitment to openness. Ozarks Food Harvest’s supporters should feel much more confident that their hard-earned dollars are being used efficiently and responsibly when it acquires such a high rating.”

With a strong network, expanded programming and growing support from individuals, corporations, foundations and government entities alike, Ozarks Food Harvest is strengthening hunger relief across southwest Missouri.  More information about The Food Bank’s rating and other information about charitable giving is available free of charge on charitynavigator.org. Donors can also give securely online to support Ozarks Food Harvest at ozarksfoodharvest.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 200 organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank distributes 14 million meals—or more than 16 million pounds—annually to more than 260,000 unduplicated individuals. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.

About Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator evaluates ten times more charities than its nearest competitor, and currently attracts more visitors to charitynavigator.org than all other charity rating groups combined, making it the leading charity evaluator in America. Data also indicates its site users gave more than they planned to before viewing Charity Navigator’s findings. It is estimated that Charity Navigator influenced approximately $10 billion in charitable gifts last year.