Fundraiser brings in $48K for Ozarks Food Harvest

provided by Ozarks Food Harvest Inc.

Check Out Hunger raised nearly $48,000 for Ozarks Food Harvest.

The 25th annual Check Out Hunger campaign raised nearly $48,000 for Ozarks Food Harvest Inc., according to officials with the Springfield nonprofit.

Contributions from the campaign, through which customers make donations at area grocery stores, will fund more than 142,000 meals for those in need in the Ozarks, according to a news release.

“Families across the Ozarks are facing a perfect storm of increased child care, housing and food costs,” said Jordan Browning, director of communications at Ozarks Food Harvest, in the release. “Donations from our Check Out Hunger campaign have come at a perfect time to help us feed more families facing hunger.”

Check Out Hunger ran Nov. 1 through the end of December, officials say, and checks from grocers continued to roll in through February.

During Check Out Hunger, grocery store customers can add a $1, $3 or $5 tax-free donation to their grocery bill at the register of stores including Apple Market, Country Mart, Harter House, King Cash Saver, King Food Saver, Price Cutter, Ramey, Rhodes Family Price Chopper, Town & Country Supermarket and Woods Supermarket, according to the release.

Check Out Hunger has raised more than $810,000 to provide over 3.6 million meals since 1998. The previous campaign raised nearly $42,000.