Ozarks Food Harvest honors volunteer Amanda Tune for contribution to garden programs
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Ozarks Food Harvest recently honored dedicated volunteer Amanda Tune with the sixth annual Golden Gleaners Award to recognize her enthusiasm and commitment to its Full Circle Gardens program. Full Circle Gardens is designed to provide neighbors facing hunger in southwest Missouri with access to locally grown food.
Amanda began volunteering with Ozarks Food Harvest while she still had children at home and worked full time. After her retirement, she started coming to the garden regularly in the spring of 2024. Today, Amanda has reached nearly 350 volunteer hours with the garden program and over 600 total volunteer hours with The Food Bank.
“I truly enjoy volunteering at Ozarks Food Harvest Full Circle Gardens because of the amazing staff and fellow dedicated volunteers,” Amanda said. “Working alongside people who share a passion for helping others makes every moment rewarding, and knowing the gardens and partner gleans help provide fresh food to those in need gives the experience a true sense of purpose.”
The Golden Gleaners Award is given annually to a volunteer who has shown outstanding contribution to Ozarks Food Harvest’s Full Circle Gardens program.
Alexa Poindexter, director of Full Circle Gardens at Ozarks Food Harvest, said, “Amanda is so welcoming and kind, and we’re thrilled to have her volunteer with us. She’s eager to help in any way she can and has even recruited her husband, Scott, who now volunteers with us as well!”
Those interested in volunteering can apply and schedule sessions online at ozarksfoodharvest.org/volunteer. All sessions must be pre-scheduled and closed-toe shoes are required. For volunteer program questions, contact volunteer recruitment coordinator Dillon Smith at 417-865-3411.
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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 90,000 individuals monthly and provides more than 23 million meals annually. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or instagram.com/ozarksfoodharvest.