As adults over age 65 become one of the largest groups served by Ozarks Food Harvest’s hunger-relief network, we’ve made it a priority to ensure they have the food they need – the same way caretaker Bobbi prioritizes the well-being of her client, 87-year-old Charlotte.
A single mom of three, Kathrine moved herself and her kids to the Ozarks to help care for her grandparents as their health declined. Their new life in southwest Missouri looks a lot different from their old home on the east coast, trading oceans and rivers for hills and cows, the Outer Banks for a mini farm – and one job for three to make ends meet.
Over the last year, Ozarks Food Harvest provided 23 million meals through our network of faith-based and community charities across southwest Missouri.
Right here in southwest Missouri, there are thousands of seniors living on fixed incomes who can’t always access nutritious meals. Good nutrition is important at all stages of life, but it’s particularly impactful for adults over age 60. With inflation rising in recent years, Ozarks Food Harvest has taken a closer look at how we can help our elderly neighbors access the food they need to thrive.
Anna has a skill that’s not too common these days, and it’s helping her family keep food in the pantry. She knows how to can her own food. Growing up, Anna remembers watching her grandmother home-can food, preserving the freshness of their fruits and vegetables so that nothing went to waste. Anna always wanted to learn, but it wasn’t until recently that she finally taught herself the skill. Now, she’s using her knowledge not only as a fulfilling hobby, but a way to provide for her family when times are tough.
Did you know people living in rural areas are more likely to experience hunger than in urban areas? Individuals and families in rural communities grapple with issues that decrease their access to nutritious foods, such as few to no nearby grocery stores, longer commutes to work and lack of reliable transportation. On top of that, neighbors across southwest Missouri are currently dealing with high childcare, housing and food costs. Phyllis Sprenkle, board member of the Sheldon Revitalization Association and member of the community betterment group, said that the town of Sheldon, Missouri checks all of those boxes.