September 02, 2020

September is Hunger Action Month. You can help Ozarks Food Harvest, the Feeding America food back for southwest Missouri and our partners for Taste of SoMo, Transform Hunger into Hope right here in Downtown Springfield.

A little history

Hunger Action Month was spearheaded by Feeding America in 2008. That organization heads up all 200 food banks across the United States. Feeding America wanted to create a nationwide push to get people involved in the fight against hunger. Each year, Ozarks Food Harvest engages the community with events, food and fund drives, community partnerships and more to help raise awareness and increase donations. There are ways to get involved every day this September.

Weekend Backpack Program

Far too many people in southwest Missouri struggle with hunger. Even more people are going hungry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. All proceeds from this year’s Hunger Action Month benefit Ozarks Food Harvest’s Weekend Backpack Program, which provides meals for children who might not get enough to eat over the weekends. For one in five children in southwest Missouri, the struggle with food insecurity is a daily reality.

Through support from generous donors, OFH can ensure that at-risk children in the Ozarks have something to eat on the weekends. And this year they need your help more than ever. Sign up to volunteer, check out events and help them Transform Hunger into Hope for kids experiencing hunger in the Ozarks.

Cheers for Children

Join some of your favorite Downtown Springfield bars for Cheers for Children in September. For every featured drink you buy, $1 will benefit OFH’s Weekend Backpack Program. Participating bars include:

• 417 Taphouse
• Best of Luck Beer Hall
• Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe
• The Golden Girl Rum Club
• Inner Circle Vodka Bar
• MudLounge Coffee & Cocktails
• Sweet Boy’s

The Coffee Ethic joins the fight

Downtown Springfield’s own The Coffee Ethic is also teaming up with Ozarks Food Harvest for Hunger Action Month. During the month of September, The Coffee Ethic will donate $2 for every bag of whole bean coffee they sell. They’ll also donate $1 for every Chai Latte sold. 

More chances to help

Ozarks Food Harvest is holding some other big events during Hunger Action Month. That includes Hungerthon with iHeartRadio Springfield Sept. 11-14. Tune into the radio-thon on Alice 95.5, US97, 100.5 The Wolf and 105.9 KGBX and listen for dollar-for-dollar matches that will double your impact.

Go Orange Day is Sept. 10. You can help raise awareness about hunger in the United States by wearing orange, lighting up your front porch with an orange bulb, or post on social media using the hashtags #HungerActionMonth and #HungerHeroes to let your friends know you support Ozarks Food Harvest’s mission. Don’t forget to tag OFH in your posts!

OFH and Tea Bar & Bites are teaming up for an Apron Fashion Show Sept. 4-17. You can bid on beautifully handcrafted and vintage aprons along with silent auction merchandise from local shops and restaurants. Handmade face coverings will also be available this year. Want to donate aprons, masks, silent auction items or ask questions? Contact Sarah Byrd at sbyrd@ozarksfoodharvest.org for more info.

Purchase ceramic and wooden bowls online to benefit The Food Bank through this year’s Empty Bowls event Sept. 18-30. The first 250 donors will receive a coupon for a bowl of free soup and piece of bread from Panera. Two lucky donors will be chosen to receive free bread or bagels for a year! You’ll have two weeks to explore and shop for beautiful bowls. All bowls are handcrafted by artists in southwest Missouri.

The empty bowls serve as a reminder of those struggling with hunger in southwest Missouri. All the funds raised from this year’s event will support the Weekend Backpack Program.

For more information, visit Ozarks Food Harvest online and check out their special Hunger Action Month website.