Wesley United Methodist Church: Cheerful Givers
This summer, Wesley United Methodist Church reached a 4,000 volunteer-hours milestone. It is the largest amount of volunteered time a group has ever given at Ozarks Food Harvest.
News
Back to school adds up to hunger for some kids
This school year, a great benefit available to all students for the past two years isn’t there – free breakfast and lunch.
An Unsustainable Situation
For the first time in two years, the need for food assistance has spiked back to pandemic levels highs because of the lingering effects of COVID-19. Now, families, businesses, and charities across the Ozarks suffer from inflation, high food prices, and the increased cost of living.
Investing in our Communities
Ozarks Food Harvest took several opportunities to invest in our community over the past fiscal year, which ran from July 2021 to June 2022. I want to take a moment to reflect on what we were able to accomplish with your partnership.
Partnerships Fight Hunger and Raise Awareness for Hunger Action Month
Hunger Action Month is one of the most exciting times of the year at Ozarks Food Harvest. Each September, we work together with local businesses and organizations and ask them to take action against hunger and support the Weekend Backpack Program.
Neighbors in Need in Buffalo, Missouri
On the third Tuesday of every month, Neighbors in Need distributes food at Calvary Chapel in Buffalo, Missouri, the Dallas County seat.
COMING SOON: HUNGER ACTION MONTH
September is Hunger Action Month at The Food Bank. A thirty-day campaign devoted to hunger-relief education, awareness, and advocacy. All month long, community members and business partners help Ozarks Food Harvest bring attention to the issue of hunger in southwest Missouri.
Willard FFA: Service and Excellence
“Volunteering is at the heart of all FFA chapters,” James Asher shares. Asher is the National FFA sponsor in Willard, Missouri. “If you look across the state, or even on a national level, you’ll see FFA out there volunteering. We like to do a service-based project for the community; it brings out the best in our students.” In addition to other volunteer efforts, the chapter he leads gives an entire day of volunteering to Ozarks Food Harvest each month.
A Generous Spirit
Here’s a behind-the-scenes tidbit about the Volunteer Spotlight: during the interview, the volunteer is often asked for two words that describe themselves. People tend to be modest.
Salem Senior Center Goes the Extra Mile
The Salem Senior Center, a partner of Aging Best, understands the problems of seniors living in social isolation or suffering from poor nutrition and is pioneering new solutions.