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Ozarks Food Harvest earns 10th consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator

December 7, 2021

The Food Bank receives highest possible rating based on strong financial health, accountability and transparency

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Ozarks Food Harvest has earned the highest rating of 4 out of 4 possible stars from Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most trusted nonprofit evaluator of charities, for the 10th consecutive time. Charity Navigator’s star rating is based on a charity’s financial health, accountability and transparency.

Out of the more than 200,000 charities evaluated by Charity Navigator, only 3 percent have received at least 10 consecutive 4-star evaluations.

“Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that Ozarks Food Harvest exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities,” wrote Michael Thatcher, president/CEO of Charity Navigator, in his award letter to The Food Bank. “This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets Ozarks Food Harvest apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.”

Ozarks Food Harvest also scored 100 out of 100 in three additional Charity Navigator ratings: Impact & Results, Leadership & Adaptability and Culture & Community. A score of 75 or above indicates that a nonprofit is effective and transparent in the areas assessed such as the direct impact of their programs, leadership capacity, strategic planning and organizational culture.

“Our consistent 4-star rating reflects our focus on being good stewards of every dollar donated,” said Bart Brown, president/CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest. “Individuals can be assured their gift is helping our community get on the road to recovery as we can take just $1 and turn it into $10 worth of groceries for a family facing hunger.”

The Food Bank provided a record-breaking $37 million worth of food and funds last fiscal year to children, families and seniors facing hunger in southwest Missouri.

Ozarks Food Harvest—the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri— reaches nearly 30,000 individuals weekly and provides more than 23 million meals annually across its 28-county service area.

More information about The Food Bank’s rating and Charity Navigator is available at charitynavigator.org. Donors can also give securely online to support Ozarks Food Harvest at ozarksfoodharvest.org/donate.

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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 hunger-relief organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank provides 22 million meals annually to more than 261,000 unduplicated individuals. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.

We hardly make it through the month. My husband and I sometimes go without eating so the kids can.

Patricia, age 26