Ozarks Food Harvest distributed 23 million meals across southwest Missouri during its most recent fiscal year, supporting children, families and seniors through a network of faith-based and community organizations.
The food bank expanded several hunger-relief programs between July 2025 and June 2026, according to a community announcement. Those efforts included its Mobile Food Pantry, Weekend Backpack Program and partnerships with more than 270 charities serving 28 counties. The organization also provided more than $700,000 in grants to local agencies working to address hunger.
Ozarks Food Harvest said it invested nearly $2 million in food purchases during the year and distributed nearly 27 million pounds of food overall.
More than 570,000 meals
were provided through the Mobile Food Pantry program, which served more than 25,000 people facing food insecurity throughout southwest Missouri.
“Hunger remains an urgent crisis in southwest Missouri. As children head back to school and the holiday season approaches, The Food Bank will need the community’s assistance to get folks back on their feet,” said Meera Scarrow, Ozarks Food Harvest board president. “The board of directors is proud to support Ozarks Food Harvest’s ongoing commitment to end hunger across southwest Missouri.”
Food insecurity continues to rise
Ozarks Food Harvest reported that food insecurity in southwest Missouri has increased 40% over the past three years, representing an additional 61,000 people experiencing difficulty accessing enough food.
“Families in southwest Missouri continue to face challenges as the cost of housing, groceries and childcare remains high,” said Bart Brown, president and CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest. “The Food Bank is dedicated to ending hunger by helping our neighbors in southwest Missouri put food on the table.”
Through its network of 270 charitable partners, Ozarks Food Harvest said it serves more than 90,000 unduplicated children, families and seniors each month across southwest Missouri.
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This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks Food Harvest provides 23 million meals across region
