Join Us in Fighting Hunger: Volunteer with Ozarks Food Harvest for Our Backpack Program!

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — As the school year kicks off, the Ozarks Food Harvest backpack program returns to support students experiencing food insecurity. This initiative aims to ensure that children have access to meals, especially over weekends when school meals aren’t available.

Currently, the organization is looking for volunteers to help with food packing. Jela Cotton, a local high school student, is among those who lend a hand. She was inspired to volunteer after noticing the challenges families in her community face in securing enough food. “Many families really struggle to put food on the table, so Ozarks Food Harvest is a valuable resource,” Cotton shared.

Jordan Browning, the Director of Communications for Ozarks Food Harvest, emphasized the growing need for volunteers as schools reopen. “We’re ramping up our weekend backpack program to ensure that kids who rely on school meals during the week have food over the weekends,” Browning explained.

The backpack program reaches over 50 schools across more than 15 counties, distributing kid-friendly, non-perishable food every Friday throughout the school year. This support is crucial, especially considering that recent studies show about 1 in 6 children in the U.S. face food insecurity.

Volunteering is flexible. You can contribute a few hours or commit to a regular schedule. Cotton believes that volunteering gives you a new perspective on life, making you more grateful for what you have and encouraging you to help others.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to get involved, support, or sponsor a child through the Ozarks Food Harvest, you can find more information here.

Giving back to the community can make a real difference in someone’s life, especially for children in need. Your involvement can change lives, one backpack at a time.

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