Each week, the neighbors surrounding Weller Community Church come together to provide fresh produce for people to take home to their families.
When Ozarks Food Harvest’s truck arrives at the Springfield church to drop off the produce, volunteers Emily and Ericka work with others sorting the fruits and vegetables to prepare for the day’s distribution.
Greetings from the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief!
Each spring, the team at Ozarks Food Harvest produces an honor roll of donors and annual report that highlights the great work made possible by the many loyal supporters of The Food Bank.
I’ll share with you just some of the highlights that I enjoyed reading, but please pick up a copy of your own at Ozarks Food Harvest or read it online.
Ozarks Food Harvest’s donors are simply incredible. We could not do what we do without you. Your care for the Ozarks and those who are struggling with hunger is unmatched.
I know that each gift of yourself and your treasure to The Food Bank is a sacrifice. You are choosing to spend your valuable time and hard-earned dollars helping others. I hope you know how thankful we are.
Here at Ozarks Food Harvest, we wanted to learn more about what makes you want to give and why you are concerned for your struggling neighbors.
During Lent, Ozarks Food Harvest asked area churches and community partners to collect fish in cans or pouches for the second annual Fish Drive, a food drive focused on donations of high-protein fish.
The eight churches and organizations that participated collected a total of 929 pounds of food — providing 774 meals for children, families and seniors in the Ozarks. This exceeded last year’s total by 360 pounds.
Volunteers play a crucial role in Ozarks Food Harvest’s mission to solve hunger in the Ozarks.
Every day volunteers visit The Food Bank ready to lend a hand with a community of people brought together by their passion to help others.
2.1 million meals served since the 17th annual fundraiser began
Nearly 60 area grocery stores partnered with Ozarks Food Harvest during the holiday season for the 17th annual Check Out Hunger, raising $31,763 for people in need across southwest Missouri.
This year’s campaign provided nearly 159,000 meals to children, families and seniors in the Ozarks.
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.
Happy Holidays from the O’Reilly Center for Hunger Relief!
I’m sure many of you would agree that the Ozarks is a special place to call home. The willingness to work together to better the community and a genuine concern for others are some of the things I value most.
This fall, a report card highlighting the strengths — blue ribbons — and challenges — red flags — in Springfield and Greene County was released. Although we received many high marks in areas like collaboration, community revitalization and awareness of civic responsibility, poverty continues to be widespread among our neighbors.
According to the report, Springfield recently surpassed St. Louis to become the city in Missouri with the highest percentage of families in poverty.
Donated produce, meats feed families this holiday season
For Alice and her family, People Helping People in Republic has been a lifesaver.
“There’s been times that my husband has been laid off or we’re short of income,” the 32-year-old shared. “Times are hard … but then there are resources like this.”
SGC Foodservice delivered a truckload of food to Ozarks Food Harvest, thanks to donations provided by its employees, customers and vendors during the Fill the Truck fundraiser.
Proceeds from the fundraiser were used to purchase child-friendly and shelf-stable food items including cereal, fruit juices and easy-open cans of vegetable soup to support The Food Bank’s Weekend Backpack Program.