The Annual Billings Antique Classic Tractor Pull is a tradition at the Billings Community Fair. Among the freshly painted antique tractors, bright lights of the Ferris wheel and enticing food carts are community members who care about their hungry neighbors.
It is no secret that eggs are a nutritional source of protein.
However, sources of protein continue to remain on Ozarks Food Harvest’s list of most-needed items. For people with allergies, a jar of peanut butter is not an option and meat is not always available.
Barbara Long began her journey with Nevada Community Outreach in 2001 as a volunteer board member. During her time as board president, the pantry’s longtime director resigned and Long was tasked with finding the pantry’s new director.
Her tiresome search lasted over a year — involving two new directors that did not remain in the position. Long had always wanted to attempt being the director, but felt overwhelmed because her mom was battling cancer.
Before Calvary Chapel secured a new building for its food pantry, it was common to see people from nearly 300 households waiting in line outside the church to receive commodities.
The church located in Buffalo, Missouri, began its food pantry in 2011 with the expectation of serving 100 to 150 households at each monthly distribution. Within the first few months of operation, Calvary Chapel saw those numbers climb drastically.
Chris Parker started volunteering at the Marshfield Senior Center 30 years ago. When she heard about the opening for a full-time position, she quickly applied. Parker has been the director of the Marshfield Senior Center, partially funded by the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging, for five years.
Q: What sparked your interest to work at SWMOA?
A: I like working with the seniors. They have such great stories because they have seen and done so much. It is a pleasure to be a part of their lives.
Teressa Faber has worked as the emergency resource manager for the Good Samaritan of the Ozarks in Richland for over eight years. The pantry, which also has a thrift store, serves about 240 families commodities and 400 families bread and produce each month. In the first 10 months of 2015, the pantry served over 18,000 people.
Q: How did you become involved in the pantry?
A: I applied for a part-time cashier position with the Good Samaritan thrift store because I recognized that this organization was sincere about trying to help others. However, I was hired for the manager position and when that happened, I felt that God was directing me and had something he wanted me to do here.Read More
The holiday season is a difficult time for many seniors throughout the Ozarks. Too often they spend the season alone because they do not have family to celebrate with.
Thankfully, many of Ozarks Food Harvest’s partnering senior centers planned special activities throughout the holidays to ensure their clients felt loved and appreciated.