YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Mission Statement:
Ozarks Food Harvest’s mission is to Transform Hunger into Hope. As the only food bank serving southwest Missouri, OFH distributes more than 15 million pounds of food annually—more than 12.5 million meals—to 200 food pantries and programs, serving 170,000 individuals. The Food Bank also grants funding to its member network.
Service Area:
Ozarks Food Harvest serves 28 Missouri counties, including Ozarks counties with some of the highest food insecurity rates in the state.
Funding:
Major funding and food sources include individual, corporate and foundation donations, federal reimbursement programs and event gifts. In fact, for every one dollar donated, Ozarks Food Harvest provides $10 worth of food distribution and services.
12-month Goal:
1. Distribute more than 12.5 million meals annually.
2. Increase OFH child feeding programs by 75% over the next three years.
3. Provide at least $250,000 in grants to member agencies annually.
4. Deepen the understanding of hunger issues in SWMO.
Annual Events:
OFH partners with Clear Channel’s Alice 95.5 FM for Hungerthon, the annual four-day radio-thon in September, to raise money for the Weekend Backpack Program. Corporate matching sponsors are needed every year. Check Out Hunger is The Food Bank’s annual holiday campaign with area grocers. The public is encouraged to add a donation to their grocery bill in the check-out line. September is Hunger Action Month when OFH encourages the community to find daily ways to make a difference.
How People & Businesses Can Help:
A financial gift to OFH is the single best way to help. Every dollar you donate provides $10 worth of food, and a gift of $100 will provide 500 meals. A $300 donation gives a child a backpack full of food every week for an entire school year. $0.96 of every dollar goes directly to feeding programs.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Individuals & groups can sign up to volunteer to sort and re-pack food donations at ozarksfoodharvest.org/volunteer. Businesses can sign up to host Food & Fund Drives for those in need at ozarksfoodharvest.org/fooddrive.html. Every hour volunteered helps OFH provide more than 100 meals.
Testimonials:
“I see kids all the time who are not well provided for. Many times they will just come in and tell you that they had not had anything to eat that weekend—that they are hungry. The Backpack Program makes a huge difference for our families. There’s a greater need out there than people really realize. A lot of these families have pride and they don’t want to go to places to get the food that they really need, but then they’ll accept it going home with their students. We’ve seen a big change since we’ve had the backpack program.”
–Rene’ Saner, former principal at Sunshine Elementary (retiring after 30 years with SPS)
Evergreen Hair House opened; the Ozark Chamber of Commerce moved to a new home; and Dirk’s Tavern LLC got its start on C-Street.