Our Pantries

Ozarks Food Harvest’s network is made up of 270 pantries and programs

As the only food bank serving southwest Missouri, Ozarks Food Harvest provides food, supplies, funding, infrastructure grants, training and support to more than just food pantries. In fiscal year 2021, the total value member agencies received from OFH was more than $36 million. Although the majority of 501(c)3’s served by OFH are food pantries, other nonprofit agencies in The Food Bank’s network include community kitchens and organizations that serve specific populations, including at-risk children and seniors, those affected by domestic violence, developmentally disabled individuals and homeless community members. To contact a hunger-relief partner, go to Need Help.

Member Agencies Become a Member Agency

Benefits of OFH Membership

network membership is more than just receiving food

The only food bank in southwest Missouri, Ozarks Food Harvest is consistently soliciting major food and financial donors on behalf of its pantries and feeding sites. These donations, as well as purchased product through OFH’s Purchased Food Program, are warehoused at the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief in Springfield, Missouri. The Food Bank’s facility is 50,000-square-feet and half of this space is dedicated to storing perishable and frozen product. Ozarks Food Harvest also ensures all food is safe — inspecting every donation — checking it against recalls and tracking it for future recalls.

 

The Food Bank offers these distribution benefits and more!

THE FOOD BANK has provided $595,680 in funding to its network of charity partners in just the past three years alone

In fact, Ozarks Food Harvest was the first food bank in Missouri to offer pass-through funding to its member agencies. OFH partners in good standing are eligible to apply for funding opportunities from Ozarks Food Harvest. The Food Bank secures these donations and offers them to agencies with the donors wishes in mind. These gifts range from purchased food, infrastructure support, such as industrial coolers and walk-in freezers to shelving and computers. This enabled The Food Bank to more than double the fresh produce distributed, exceeding strategic initiative goals. OFH grants are key to strengthening and sustaining network agencies.

 

The Food Bank provides continuing education opportunities for member agencies

Ozarks Food Harvest’s knowledgeable team is sincerely committed to solving hunger in the Ozarks. The member services staff at OFH has a direct line, with a friendly voice prepared to answer questions or concerns. Call (417) 380-5007 to inquire about these opportunities. The Food Bank also offers its conference room and audio/visual equipment free-of-charge for members.

Ozarks Food Harvest offers year-round agency training

 

 

OFH is always advocating on behalf of its members

Ozarks Food Harvest is constantly meeting with hunger-relief partners across 28 southwest Missouri counties and representatives in both Jefferson City and Washington D.C. to advocate for its pantries and programs. The Food Bank is an active member of the Missouri Food Bank Association and Feeding America, the nation’s network of food banks. Through these strong partnerships, Ozarks Food Harvest is able to gain awareness and support about the issue of hunger in southwest Missouri. The Food Bank also strives to advocate for member partners via social media. OFH staff provides social media assistance to members as well as offers training at the annual agency conference for staff, volunteers and board members.

All of Ozarks Food Harvest’s partner agencies comply with a non-discrimination policy and are prohibited from refusing service to anyone based on race, creed, religious or political affiliation, gender or sexual preferences. Agencies are also prohibited from requiring participation in any religious services or activities in exchange for Ozarks Food Harvest’s food or services.