Greetings from the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief!
Along with my friends at Ozarks Food Harvest, I want to share how pleased I am to be a part of the Ending Hunger, Building Hope capital campaign. This is an opportunity for important growth to meet the needs of the men, women and children in southwest Missouri who struggle with the harsh reality of hunger.
More than 10 years ago I became involved with the original capital campaign to build Ozarks Food Harvest’s current facility. My family and I realized the great need for a larger food bank with more space to accept and process donations and better equipment to serve the need. With this in mind, my family made a gift to support that critical campaign.
Here at Ozarks Food Harvest, we rely on monthly supporters to help us provide over 15 million meals each year to our neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet.
This is why we created Harvest Circle, a special community of our dedicated donors who make monthly gifts to provide a steady stream of funds for The Food Bank.
Becoming a member of Harvest Circle is beneficial for donors and The Food Bank. One reason is for the sake of effectiveness. Your monthly commitment helps us plan ahead, budget efficiently and respond to needs.
Last year was record-breaking for Ozarks Food Harvest’s Glean Team! Thanks to compassionate volunteers who donated 3,508 hours, we gleaned 25,308 pounds of produce in 2016.
It is an unfortunate fact that too many of our neighbors in southwest Missouri are food insecure, and often have to make hard choices when it comes to being able to have nutritious food.
Happy Holidays from the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief!
It’s hard to believe another year is almost over. As we reflect on what we’re grateful for throughout this holiday season, I hope that you and your family are blessed with a roof over your head, clothes on your back, food on your plate and the love of family and friends.
Students from Logan-Rogersville High School’s FFA club have given more than 600 hours of volunteer time to Ozarks Food Harvest over the past three years.
Faculty advisor Jayson Shriver said the work of The Food Bank fits well with his farming and agriculture club. And the students enjoy the opportunity to give back.
As a friend of Ozarks Food Harvest, you’re aware of the struggles so many of our neighbors face when it comes to providing food for themselves and their families. You’re also aware that when you give to Ozarks Food Harvest, each $1 is making a huge difference for those in need by providing $10 worth of food distribution and services.
The holiday season is a time when many of us think about food more often than the rest of the year. With Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas parties with family and friends, it’s certainly the season of eating.
The folks we provide meals to across the Ozarks are also thinking about food this time of year, and all year long. But unfortunately, thinking about food when hungry leaves our neighbors feeling afraid and anxious.
When you don’t have enough to make ends meet, and food seems out of reach, too many of the people we serve don’t feel they have the ability to buy smart at the grocery store to supplement food from our pantries.
Greetings from the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief!
