News

Boy Scouts across the Ozarks went door-to-door this spring to gather nonperishable food for Ozarks Food Harvest during the 27th annual Scouting for Food.

Together they collected a record 29,745 pounds of food and $442.43 to provide nearly 27,000 meals.

Grocery sacks filled with nonperishable food were picked up in area neighborhoods and the Scouts held one-day drives at area Walmart stores.

“We are very pleased with our success at the Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America. This year our campaign ran a little longer than usual with Scout units doing food drives almost up until the first week in May,” said Nathan Rackers, Osage Hills District executive for the Ozark Trails Council. “In addition, more units participated in the Scouting for Food drive this year.”

Ozarks Food Harvest will provide the donations to its network of 200 pantries and programs across 28 counties in southwest Missouri. Through this project, local Scouts have provided nearly 160,000 meals over the last 11 years.

“Our local Boy Scouts are such an important partner as we fight to solve hunger for the Ozarks,” said Christy Claybaker, community engagement coordinator at Ozarks Food Harvest. “Their energy and excitement for this drive is a great motivator for the community to get involved.”