Hungerthon raises $253K for Ozarks Food Harvest

The 25th annual Hungerthon fundraiser brought in nearly $253,000 for Ozarks Food Harvest.

Held in partnership with iHeartRadio Springfield, the fundraiser earned $252,900 throughout its four days running Friday through Monday, according to a news release. The funding goes toward providing more than 700 children with backpacks full of food on the weekend during the school year.

“It feels so special to work with Ozarks Food Harvest again this year to provide weekend backpacks for kids facing hunger,” said Clint “Girlie” Gerlek, vice president of programming for iHeartRadio and Hungerthon co-host, in the release. “Thank you to everyone who tuned in with us to ensure more children have something to eat over the weekend for an entire school year.”

Gerlek and Hungerthon co-host Jennifer “Hemmy” Hemmer, program director for iHeartRadio Springfield, helped raise the funds as listeners tuned in to the company's local radio stations.

The total this year is down from last year's Hungerthon record of $260,422, according to past reporting. The release indicates Hungerthon has raised $3.1 million in aggregate since starting in 1999.

Backpack donations are slated to be matched by myriad businesses, foundations and individuals.