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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Thanks to Smart Chicken’s 21st annual Smart Giving Holiday Challenge campaign, Ozarks Food Harvest will receive more than 6,300 pounds of chicken this holiday season. The Food Bank will distribute the chicken to its network of 270 faith-based and community charities to assist with the increased demand for food in southwest Missouri.

Smart Chicken’s Smart Giving Holiday Challenge donates 10 percent of poultry purchased at various retailers in November to Ozarks Food Harvest. Participating retailers include Apple Market, Country Mart, Food 4 Less, G&W Foods, Harter House, Price Cutter, Town and Country and Woods Supermarket.

“This donation comes at a great time as the costs of childcare, food and housing continue to rise,” said Bart Brown, president/CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest. “We appreciate Smart Chicken for their longstanding partnership, especially as we face an increased demand for food at Ozarks Food Harvest.”

Ozarks Food Harvest reports more families are now seeking food assistance from their network of 270 faith-based and community partners than during the height of the pandemic. The Food Bank’s network now serves an average of 70,000 individuals each month; nearly 20,000 more than during the height of the COVID crisis.

“Thank you to our local grocers for encouraging customers to help families facing hunger during our Smart Giving Holiday Challenge campaign,” said Joe Horvath, account manager of Smart Chicken. “As the demand for food continues to rise in our community, we’re so happy to be able give back to our neighbors in need.”

Since 2004, Ozarks Food Harvest has received more than 156,000 pounds of poultry from Smart Chicken.

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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 70,000 individuals monthly and provides more than 20 million meals annually. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or instagram.com/ozarksfoodharvest.

About Smart Chicken
Smart Chicken is produced by local growers from Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa. Smart Chicken birds are fed an all-natural diet without antibiotics, hormones, steroids or artificial ingredients. Smart Chicken is dedicated to producing the safest, highest quality fresh chicken found anywhere while demonstrating care for the environment. Learn more at smartchicken.com, facebook.com/smartchicken or twitter.com/smartchicken.