Donation nets Ozarks Food Harvest over 2 tons of chicken

Ozarks Food Harvest Inc. is in possession of over 2.6 tons of chicken following a donation from a Waverly, Nebraska-based company.

According to a news release, the Springfield-based nonprofit received 5,300 pounds of poultry through Smart Chicken’s 23rd annual Smart Giving Holiday Challenge campaign.

“This donation comes at a time when families are facing rising costs, making it harder to access the nutritious food they need,” said Bart Brown, president and CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest, in the release. “We’re so thankful for Smart Chicken’s longstanding partnership, especially as we head into the most challenging time of year for folks facing hunger.”

Ozarks Food Harvest plans to distribute the chicken to its network of 270 faith-based and community charities in southwest Missouri, officials say. The nonprofit’s network serves an average of 90,000 people each month, according to the release.

Through Smart Chicken’s annual holiday campaign, it donates 10% of poultry purchased in November to Ozarks Food Harvest with participating retailers including Apple Market, Food 4 Less, Harter House and Price Cutter.

“We’re proud to partner with local grocers and customers through our Smart Giving Holiday Challenge to help families facing hunger,” said Joe Horvath, account manager for Smart Chicken, in the release.

Smart Chicken has donated more than 172,200 pounds of poultry to Ozarks Food Harvest since 2004, according to the release.