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A greeting from Charlie O’Reilly

Happy Holidays from the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief!

Each holiday season, I enjoy taking time to reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of the year and thinking about the opportunities that lie ahead.

Ozarks Food Harvest experienced another record-breaking year, providing 17 million meals across southwest Missouri. And thanks to so many generous donors throughout the community, The Food Bank dedicated its new warehouse expansion, which will allow for the distribution of even more meals throughout the Ozarks.

The Food Bank is constantly working toward its goal of closing the meal gap. Increased processing space, new truck docks and a dedicated produce cooler are all part of the equation. In addition, the expansion has a variety of eco-friendly features that will help protect the environment and save The Food Bank money in the long run.

The installation of solar panels and special LED lighting will help offset Ozarks Food Harvest’s utility bills. The solar panels will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen The Food Bank’s carbon footprint.

The warehouse expansion will allow The Food Bank to continue to reduce food waste in the community. According to Feeding America, 72 billion pounds of food are wasted in the United States each year. With more space to store, process and stage donations, Ozarks Food Harvest is doing its part to care for the earth and further reduce food waste in the Ozarks.

It has been incredible to witness the growth of The Food Bank in 2018. In the past six months, Ozarks Food Harvest has already begun accepting more donations, providing more meals and improving the environment in southwest Missouri.

In the coming year, The Food Bank will continue to provide more meals, as food insecurity remains high in the Ozarks. Your generosity is still needed to support children like Matthew, who participates in the Weekend Backpack Program.

“I am happy we get food in our backpacks, because I don’t have much to eat at home,” he shared.

I believe that every gift to Ozarks Food Harvest is money well spent. Each $1 donation is leveraged to $10 worth of food and services so that families like Matthew’s know where their next meal is coming from. Consider giving to The Food Bank online this season at ozarksfoodharvest.org/donate.

Thank you for your dedication to hunger relief in the Ozarks. Let’s continue to fight hunger together in 2019.