In the small, close-knit community of Eminence, Mo., a food pantry located in the heart of town has a lot of heart for its residents. “Our pantry thrives on bringing joy, compassion and helping others in all aspects of their lives,” says Patty Raye Jones, director of Eminence Food Pantry, which has served as a focal point of aid and support for their neighbors for nearly eight years.
Volunteers at the Oregon County Food Pantry in Alton have been diligently supporting their community for 18 years. For much of that time, they distributed food from a borrowed church building, but as their service grew, so did their needs. Now, the pantry’s generosity has come full circle as they serve their neighbors from a new location – which they own!
Greetings from the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief!
As supporters of Ozarks Food Harvest, we know about the urgent and daily needs of the people in our community who struggle with hunger. It’s heartbreaking and oftentimes unimaginable. For those of us who don’t have to make hard choices between paying for food and other basic necessities, understanding what this might feel like can be difficult.
Natalie and Ricky work hard to provide for themselves and their nine-month-old daughter. But sometimes there isn’t enough money to ensure there’s something to eat.
“I work two jobs, she’s a stay at home mom,” said Ricky. “With all the other expenses we have … a little help is needed. By the time I pay the rent and utilities and car insurance, we come up short on food often.”
Natalie and Ricky are able to get the food assistance they need at Crosslines, an Ozarks Food Harvest member pantry in Springfield.