Media

Event will increase access to milk by providing vouchers to local hunger-relief organizations

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Ozarks Food Harvest will host the first Great American Milk Drive on Saturday, May 30. This free, family-friendly event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park, 3825 W. Farm Road 146 in Springfield, and kicks-off National Dairy Month beginning in June.

The Great American Milk Drive was created by Feeding America, the National Dairy Council and MilkPep to increase access to milk for food insecure Americans. This local effort allows community members to make a donation for milk vouchers to be distributed at eight of The Food Bank’s Springfield food pantries. A $5 donation provides one gallon of milk. Recipients can redeem their milk vouchers at any retailer.

“Milk is one of the most nutrient-rich products The Food Bank could offer, and it is in high demand,” said Bart Brown, president/CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest. “This drive is a key step in providing more milk to families and increasing awareness of the importance of milk.”

In addition to the fundraiser, The Great American Milk Drive will have kids’ activities including a bounce house, petting zoo, dairy trivia game, cow train and cow-milking demonstrations. There will also be live music by Jeff Johnson of Smokey Folk, food and raffle prizes.

Michelle Leroux, CoxHealth media relations coordinator, said CoxHealth is privileged to be the lead sponsor of the drive. “We know that supporting programs such as The Great American Milk Drive benefits the overall health and well-being of the community,” Leroux said. “These organizations provide valuable resources, education and support to community members, resulting in a better community.  We are privileged to be a sponsor of The Great American Milk Drive that will benefit so many families in the area.”

Sponsors of the event include: CoxHealth, Missouri Foundation for Health, Hiland Dairy, Farmers Insurance Dave Gragg Agency, Springfield-Greene County Park Board and iHeartMedia. The following organizations have generously donated raffle prizes: The Discovery Center, Lighthouse Lanes, Fun Acre, 160 Grand Prix Go Carts, Hiland Dairy, Enterprise Lanes, Ozark Mountain Gymnastics and Cold Stone Creamery.

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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 12.5 million meals annually to more than 260,000 unduplicated individuals. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.