Ozarks Food Harvest and Zimmer Communications raised $252,316 through this year’s Hungerthon fundraiser to support the food bank’s Weekend Backpack Program. In southwest Missouri, one in four children face hunger and the program provides meals to students when school meals are unavailable, according to a community announcement.
The fundraiser concluded Sept. 14 after a weekend of listener donations benefiting the Weekend Backpack Program, which serves children in 62 schools across 15 Ozarks counties.
The program provides six nutritious and accessible meals, along with drinks and snacks, for children each weekend during the school year. The funds raised this year will provide weekend meals for 701 children in southwest Missouri.
“We’re so thankful
for Zimmer Communications partnership for this year’s Hungerthon to help us feed kids through the Weekend Backpack Program,” Bart Brown, Ozarks Food Harvest president and CEO, said in the announcement. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who tuned in and donated to ensure children facing hunger in the Ozarks have access to nutritious meals each weekend of the school year.”
“Hungerthon really shows the power of radio to rally a community around the things that matter most. We’re incredibly proud of our entire team and grateful to everyone who stepped up to help. Serving the Ozarks is at the core of our values and our mission at Zimmer Communications,” Tony Matteo, general manager of Zimmer Communications, said in the announcement.
Hungerthon history and community support
Since 1999, Hungerthon has raised more than $3.9 million, funding 2.6 million meals for children in southwest Missouri, according to the announcement.
Businesses, individuals and foundations matched listener donations, including A-1 Guarantee Roofing, Associated Electric Coop. Inc., Arvest, CoxHealth, Fireworks Supermarket, Great Southern Bank, Hollister and Kimberling City Harter House, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 453, McDonald’s, Mid-Missouri Bank–Lebanon, Netsmart, Pyramid Batteries and Chargers, Ross Construction Group, SRC Community Relations, Stomp the Blues out of Homelessness and Yahweh’s Place.
Community members who did not participate in Hungerthon may still donate to the Weekend Backpack Program through Ozarks Food Harvest at ozarksfoodharvest.org.
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This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Hungerthon donations will provide weekend meals for 701 Ozarks kids
