Two months ago, Arvest Bank launched its annual 1 Million Meals initiative to fight hunger in the four-state region the bank serves. The bank announced today that, with the help of customers and community members, it has exceeded the campaign goal by raising a total of 1,712,601 meals in the fight against hunger.
Hilton Garden Inn employees are committed to helping their neighbors in need and keeping Springfield clean by volunteering to support multiple causes in the community.
Every month, Hilton staff sort and pack food at Ozarks Food Harvest, volunteer at a local children’s shelter or work to keep a portion of a Springfield highway and stream clean.
One in four children in the Ozarks may not know where their next meal will come from.
Fortunately, Ozarks Food Harvest is committed to solving this harsh reality.
Because of the incredible support from our donors, we provide kids with food through the Weekend Backpack Program serving 1,600 kids each week in 52 Springfield and rural schools.
Each week, the neighbors surrounding Weller Community Church come together to provide fresh produce for people to take home to their families.
When Ozarks Food Harvest’s truck arrives at the Springfield church to drop off the produce, volunteers Emily and Ericka work with others sorting the fruits and vegetables to prepare for the day’s distribution.
Greetings from the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief!
Each spring, the team at Ozarks Food Harvest produces an honor roll of donors and annual report that highlights the great work made possible by the many loyal supporters of The Food Bank.
I’ll share with you just some of the highlights that I enjoyed reading, but please pick up a copy of your own at Ozarks Food Harvest or read it online.
Ozarks Food Harvest’s donors are simply incredible. We could not do what we do without you. Your care for the Ozarks and those who are struggling with hunger is unmatched.
I know that each gift of yourself and your treasure to The Food Bank is a sacrifice. You are choosing to spend your valuable time and hard-earned dollars helping others. I hope you know how thankful we are.
Here at Ozarks Food Harvest, we wanted to learn more about what makes you want to give and why you are concerned for your struggling neighbors.
During Lent, Ozarks Food Harvest asked area churches and community partners to collect fish in cans or pouches for the second annual Fish Drive, a food drive focused on donations of high-protein fish.
The eight churches and organizations that participated collected a total of 929 pounds of food — providing 774 meals for children, families and seniors in the Ozarks. This exceeded last year’s total by 360 pounds.
Jacob Waggoner went straight from high school to serving his country, and today he continues his service at home by helping to feed his hungry neighbors.
After retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps, Waggoner moved to Springfield to attend college at Missouri State University. That’s when he learned that thousands of people in the Ozarks struggle with hunger.
Volunteers play a crucial role in Ozarks Food Harvest’s mission to solve hunger in the Ozarks.
Every day volunteers visit The Food Bank ready to lend a hand with a community of people brought together by their passion to help others.
2.1 million meals served since the 17th annual fundraiser began
Nearly 60 area grocery stores partnered with Ozarks Food Harvest during the holiday season for the 17th annual Check Out Hunger, raising $31,763 for people in need across southwest Missouri.
This year’s campaign provided nearly 159,000 meals to children, families and seniors in the Ozarks.