Ozarks Food Harvest’s response to covid-19
Ozarks Food Harvest has been closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 spread. We are constantly looking for and following best practices recommended by the CDC, Springfield-Greene County Health Department and Feeding America.
As the situation continues to change daily, we remain committed to providing safe, nutritious food to anyone that needs it. Ozarks Food Harvest provides an essential service in providing nourishing food that is critical to maintaining good health. The people that access our pantries and feeding programs may be hit the hardest by this pandemic, and we have made it a priority to reach community members in need of food assistance.
The health and safety of our staff, food pantries and feeding sites, the people we serve and our volunteers are extremely important to us. The Food Bank already has strict food safety and sanitation guides in place that are followed on a daily basis, and at this time, we are doubling our efforts to keep our staff, volunteers and the food we distribute safe.
We are continuing to work closely with our network of 270 hunger-relief partners to provide food across our 28-county service area. Businesses across the Ozarks are rapidly closing and laying off workers as the pandemic spreads. Many parents, especially single mothers, face the unenviable choice of caring for their children or earning enough money to feed them. Those lucky enough to keep their jobs are living paycheck to paycheck. This leaves more people than ever in need of food assistance. Our pantries have requested more food, and we are providing them with as much as possible.
To meet this growing demand, Ozarks Food Harvest will be purchasing additional food, hiring temporary workers and hosting additional Mobile Food Pantries. Today, I’m asking for your help as we navigate these changes and continue to take care of our food-insecure neighbors. For every dollar donated, The Food Bank can provide $10 worth of groceries to people in need. You can trust that your donation will make a difference in the coming weeks and months. Donations can be made securely online at ozarksfoodharvest.org/donate. You can also call 417-865-3411 to make a donation over the phone.
If you have already donated to help our hungry neighbors during this difficult and uncertain time, thank you. Your commitment to serving the community is greatly appreciated, and any additional support you can offer would be sincerely valued, too.
In the weeks and months ahead, stay tuned to our website and social media channels to learn more what we’re doing in the midst of COVID-19. Together, we will continue to Transform Hunger into Hope.