News

OFH asks public to participate in Fish Drive

OFH asks public to participate in Fish Drive

January 19, 2016 in Food drive

Ozarks Food Harvest is encouraging churches, schools, businesses or any interested group to participate in the second annual community Fish Drive during Lent, Feb. 10 to March 24.

In 2015, the idea was implemented to ask the community to go fishing for its neighbors in need throughout the Lent season by collecting canned and pouched fish for Ozarks Food Harvest.

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Students go the extra mile to give back

Students go the extra mile to give back

January 15, 2016 in Volunteer Spotlight

Winter break offers a chance for college students to relax after a hectic semester of classes.

Twelve students from the University of South Dakota had different plans. In January, they traveled eight hours to serve one week in the Springfield community — volunteering at Ozarks Food Harvest and other nonprofits.

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7 Billion Ones: Michael’s Story

7 Billion Ones: Michael’s Story

January 8, 2016 in 7 Billion Ones

The line of people waiting for food from the C-Street Connect pantry at Crimson House wrapped around the building. You could see the struggle, pain and exhaustion on their faces. But, surprisingly, there was also a lot of laughter.

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Seniors find joy at Christmas

Seniors find joy at Christmas

December 31, 2015 in Agency Spotlight

The holiday season is a difficult time for many seniors throughout the Ozarks. Too often they spend the season alone because they do not have family to celebrate with.

Thankfully, many of Ozarks Food Harvest’s partnering senior centers planned special activities throughout the holidays to ensure their clients felt loved and appreciated.

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Local student gives back

Local student gives back

December 22, 2015 in Volunteer Spotlight

Missouri State University student Juan Trujillo started volunteering at Ozarks Food Harvest as part of a scholarship requirement, but came to truly enjoy giving back.

“Everybody likes to do stuff for themselves, but once you do something for someone else it’s easier to see the high priority of volunteering,” Trujillo shared.

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Bart Brown: Year-end gifts help families in need

December 14, 2015 in Bart's Hope Notes Harvest Time Newsletter

View More: http://twintownstudios.pass.us/ozark-food-harvestAs we approach the New Year at Ozarks Food Harvest, I am thankful for the loyalty and hard work our donors and volunteers continue to show.

With the help of our large family of supporters, we have accomplished a lot this year.

We saw a dramatic increase in the number of volunteers at The Food Bank and several community events drew first-time donors to help their neighbors in need.

Unfortunately, many children, families and seniors in our community still do not know where their next meal will come from.

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Charlie O’Reilly: Poverty still a red flag

December 14, 2015 in Charlie's Corner Harvest Time Newsletter

Charlie's Corner3Happy Holidays from the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief!

I’m sure many of you would agree that the Ozarks is a special place to call home. The willingness to work together to better the community and a genuine concern for others are some of the things I value most.

This fall, a report card highlighting the strengths — blue ribbons — and challenges — red flags — in Springfield and Greene County was released. Although we received many high marks in areas like collaboration, community revitalization and awareness of civic responsibility, poverty continues to be widespread among our neighbors.

According to the report, Springfield recently surpassed St. Louis to become the city in Missouri with the highest percentage of families in poverty.

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SGC Foodservice gifts $18,000 to Ozarks Food Harvest

SGC Foodservice gifts $18,000 to Ozarks Food Harvest

December 2, 2015 in Donation drive Harvest Time Newsletter

SGC Foodservice delivered a truckload of food to Ozarks Food Harvest, thanks to donations provided by its employees, customers and vendors during the Fill the Truck fundraiser.

Proceeds from the fundraiser were used to purchase child-friendly and shelf-stable food items including cereal, fruit juices and easy-open cans of vegetable soup to support The Food Bank’s Weekend Backpack Program.

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