Springfield students collect more than 63,000 meals during 2022 Food Fight
Eleventh annual SPS food and fund drive provides food for families across The Food Bank’s service area
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Springfield Public Schools students and partnering organizations collected more than 63,000 meals in March as part of the 11th annual Food Fight competition to benefit Ozarks Food Harvest.
This year’s Food Fight had 13 schools, with support from 22 partnering organizations, spend one week competing to collect the most food and fund donations for The Food Bank. The food donations will be distributed across Ozarks Food Harvest’s 28-county service area and collected funds will sponsor more than 40 children for a full school year of Weekend Backpack Program meals.
The winners from each school level were Weaver Elementary School with support from Penmac Staffing, Cherokee Middle School with support from Mid-Missouri Bank and Central High School with support from The Sandwich Scene. The three Food Fight champion schools will be awarded traveling trophies this month.
“SPS looks forward to partnering with Ozarks Food Harvest every year to help families facing hunger across the Ozarks,” said Jean Grabeel, director of health services for Springfield Public Schools. “It’s so exciting to witness the enthusiasm of our students and their engagement with the community.”
Since the competition began in 2011, SPS students and partners have provided nearly 360,000 meals for children, families and seniors served by The Food Bank.
“With 1 in 5 children facing hunger in southwest Missouri, many students likely know someone experiencing this challenge,” said Bart Brown, president/CEO at Ozarks Food Harvest. “That’s why Food Fight continues to be a great way for students to learn how they can make a positive difference in their community.”
Area businesses and nonprofits partnered with schools to serve as collection points. Partners included Central Christian Church, Culver’s (Glenstone location), Culver’s (Primrose location), DoubleTree Hotel, Great Southern Bank, HomeVestors, Jack Henry & Associates, Little Caesars, Mid-Missouri Bank, Parkcrest Dental, Penmac Staffing, Springfield Sign, Systematic Savings and The Sandwich Scene.
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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.