For the 11th year in a row, Ozarks Food Harvest has earned the highest rating of 4 out of 4 possible stars from Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most trusted nonprofit evaluator of charities. Our rating is especially meaningful this year because it means I can assure you that during this time of high inflation, increased costs and soaring demand for assistance, you’re contributing to one of the most effective hunger-relief charities in the nation.
Ozarks Food Harvest took several opportunities to invest in our community over the past fiscal year, which ran from July 2021 to June 2022. I want to take a moment to reflect on what we were able to accomplish with your partnership.
At Ozarks Food Harvest, we have the vital task of being a voice for those in need.
Our neighbors who worry about putting food on the table for their families often don’t find themselves having a platform to reach thousands of people. But because we do, it’s essential for us to use it to do some good in the lives of those who are most vulnerable.
Statement from Bart Brown, president/CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest
Dear friends of The Food Bank,
The budget proposal released this week by The White House would drastically reduce the much-needed government support many of our neighbors here in the Ozarks, and across the country, depend on to have enough to eat.
It’s April, and at Ozarks Food Harvest, that means we’re celebrating volunteers in honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Month.
We simply would not be able to provide 15 million meals each year without the hard work of thousands of volunteers who donate their time.
Their dedication is inspiring to all of us who work at The Food Bank.
Many of you have volunteered with us before, but if you haven’t, I’d encourage you to give it a try.
This summer will mark eight years since moving into our distribution facility, the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief. The move was the result of a four-year capital campaign that was only possible because of the generosity of so many, including you, our supporter and friend.
Although it doesn’t seem that long ago, it’s incredible to think about the growth we have been able to achieve because of the space afforded to us in our current building. In summer 2009, we had just ended a fiscal year where we distributed nearly seven million pounds of food. This year we’re on track to provide more than 17 million pounds of food.
When it comes to hunger relief, I’m proud to say that Ozarks Food Harvest is one of the most effective nonprofits in the nation.
Seeing firsthand how hard the staff and volunteers work to provide food for our struggling neighbors is incredible. And so many of you generously give of your treasure to ensure no one goes hungry.
While I’ve always known of the great work being done here at Ozarks Food Harvest, the leading evaluator of nonprofits nationwide helped make that abundantly clear this June.
As 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.
I’m thrilled to share with you that Ozarks Food Harvest has hit a new distribution goal and has served more meals than ever before! In fiscal year 2014, The Food Bank distributed 16.3 million pounds of food, providing 13.6 million meals to our neighbors in need in southwest Missouri.
The number of meals served surpassed our strategic goal by over one million meals! This is all possible because of selfless donors, like you, who give your time, food or funds to support The Food Bank.
We know that each meal provided to a hungry child, unemployed adult or disabled senior means more to them than we will ever know. Behind each meal served, there is a story. And that’s what keeps us pushing to continually increase our distribution. We met Cathy at a recent Mobile Food Pantry distribution in rural Howell County where she was both a recipient and a volunteer. She shared with us that she is so grateful for the food.
At Ozarks Food Harvest, we rely on you to support our mission with your valued donations. We’re grateful that year after year, you choose to continue to show compassion for people struggling with hunger.
While we have heard from some of you personally on why the mission of Transforming Hunger into Hope is so dear to your heart, we wanted to, on a larger scale, ask why you give to The Food Bank. This past fall we asked some of our most loyal and generous donors to participate in our 2014 Donor Survey, which consisted of three questions.