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.
Of the people served by Ozarks Food Harvest’s hunger-relief network, one-third live in a household with children. So many of these children rely on nutritious school meals that help them learn, grow, and play, but what happens when school lets out for the summer?
Ozarks Food Harvest’s monthly donors play a critical role in meeting the needs of our neighbors facing hunger. While every donation makes an impact, consistent monthly giving through our Harvest Circle Program allows The Food Bank to plan ahead and respond to immediate needs.
In May 2011, an unforgettable EF5 tornado struck the city of Joplin. With thousands of buildings destroyed and infrastructure impacted, families lost access to housing and crucial resources for weeks. The destruction and devastation caused by the storm was so historic that it garnered national attention. Residents, organizations, and churches stepped up to lend their neighbors a much needed hand, and from the aftermath of the storm, Mission Joplin was founded.
Ozarks Food Harvest will invest nearly $400,000 this year to provide nutritious food to rural families facing hunger thanks to two recent grants from Feeding America and Tyson Foods.
For the first time in two years, the need for food assistance has spiked back to pandemic levels highs because of the lingering effects of COVID-19. Now, families, businesses, and charities across the Ozarks suffer from inflation, high food prices, and the increased cost of living.