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The Hungerthon fundraiser will provide meals for 701 kids in southwest Missouri.

Hungerthon, hosted by Ozarks Food Harvest and Zimmer Communications, wrapped up Monday afternoon, raising a total of $252,316 for Ozarks Food Harvest’s Weekend Backpack Program.

Over the weekend, listeners tuned in to donate and support the Weekend Backpack Program. The Weekend Backpack Program provides six nutritious and accessible meals in addition to drinks and snacks to children across 62 schools in 15 counties across the Ozarks each weekend of the school year. In southwest Missouri, 1 in 4 children face hunger, making weekends when school meals aren’t available particularly challenging.

“We’re so thankful for Zimmer Communications partnership for this year’s Hungerthon to help us feed kids through the Weekend Backpack Program,” said Bart Brown, Ozarks Food Harvest’s president and CEO. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who tuned in and donated to ensure children facing hunger in the Ozarks have access to nutritious meals each weekend of the school year.”

“Hungerthon really shows the power of radio to rally a community around the things that matter most. We’re incredibly proud of our entire team and grateful to everyone who stepped up to help. Serving the Ozarks is at the core of our values and our mission at Zimmer Communications,” said Tony Matteo, general manager of Zimmer Communications.

Since 1999, Hungerthon has raised over $3.9 million to provide 2.6 million meals to children in southwest Missouri.

Businesses, individuals and foundations matched listeners’ contributions including A-1 Guarantee Roofing, Associated Electric Coop. Inc, Arvest, CoxHealth, Fireworks Supermarket, Great Southern Bank, Hollister and Kimberling City Harter House, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 453, McDonald’s, Mid-Missouri Bank – Lebanon, Netsmart, Pyramid Batteries and Chargers, Ross Construction Group, SRC Community Relations, Stomp the Blues out of Homelessness and Yahweh’s Place.

Community members who were unable to participate in Hungerthon, but still wish to donate, can make donations towards the Weekend Backpack Program securely online at ozarksfoodharvest.org/donate-hungerthon.