Ozarks Food Harvest sets goal to raise $10,000 during Give Ozarks
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Ozarks Food Harvest is participating in the first-ever Give Ozarks 24-hour online day of giving on May 5.
The regional food bank has set a goal to raise $10,000 for its Weekend Backpack Program during the midnight to midnight drive. The Weekend Backpack Program provides 55,000 food bags annually to kids in 46 schools across the Ozarks. Every donation of $8 will provide one child a bag of food for the weekend.
“We know that without the guarantee of schools lunches, thousands of children in the Ozarks go hungry on the weekends,” said Denise Gibson, OFH Director of Development and Communication. “The Weekend Backpack Program provides more than just food. It truly is hope for kids who are struggling with hunger.”
The program ensures at-risk children receive bags filled with six nutritious, easy-open meals every weekend. Each month, children are provided with a hygiene kit with shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.
“Our sustaining partner Commerce Bank is generously matching, dollar for dollar, the first $1,000 donated online on May 5,” Gibson said. “I’m confident the generous people in this community will use Give Ozarks to make a big impact in the lives of area children.”
Making a secure donation is simple. On May 5, donors can log onto giveozarks.org/2015/ozarksfoodharvest to complete a basic credit card donation. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the IRS.
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Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 200 organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank distributes more than 13 million meals annually to 260,000 unduplicated individuals. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.
Community Foundation of the Ozarks is hosting Give Ozarks with presenting sponsor BKD Wealth Advisors and platinum sponsors The Musgrave Foundation, The Commerce Trust Co./Coover Charitable Foundation and Ron and Janice Penney. The CFO is a regional public charitable foundation, founded in 1973, which includes 45 affiliate foundations and nearly 600 nonprofit partners and schools.