Branson, Missouri Apr 28, 2023 (Issuewire.com) - Ozarks Teen Challenge recently received a capacity-building grant thanks to Ozarks Food Harvest’s $1 million investment in agency infrastructure in southwest Missouri.
The grant funding will purchase a commercial reach-in freezer which will help increase the food storage capacity for the food program that feeds the young men enrolled in their residential recovery program. Ozarks Teen Challenge was one of more than 70 organizations chosen by Ozarks Food Harvest to receive an agency capacity grant to assist with hunger-relief efforts.
“This grant is a blessing as we will be able to accept more donations, thus reducing the cost of goods we have to purchase to feed the young men we serve” said Scentio Wallace, Kitchen Manager at Ozarks Teen Challenge. “Thanks to Ozarks Food Harvest, we’re able to take in and distribute more food now and in the future.”
Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 270 charities across 28 Ozarks counties. This capacity-building investment is part of The Food Bank’s multi-faceted strategy to address needs identified in Missouri’s Food Assistance and Hunger in the Heartland 2021 report conducted by the MU Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security.
“These grant funds are an investment in the future of our community’s food system,” said Bart Brown, president/CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest. “Increasing access to food is key as our network of hunger-relief charities continues to deal with the expanding cost of food and fuel.”
Every month, Ozarks Teen Challenge is responsible for serving at least 3,720 meals and snacks. Since 2011, Ozarks Food Harvest’s partnership with Ozarks Teen Challenge has unequivocally served as a vital part of their food program, assisting them in providing food for the hundreds of adolescent boys that have sought hope and healing from life-controlling issues over the past twelve years of that partnership.
About Ozarks Teen Challenge
Since 2007, Ozarks Teen Challenge has provided at-risk teen boys who have struggled with substance use disorder and other life-controlling issues with a 15-month comprehensive, faith-based residential program that is focused on their personal, social, academic, physical, and spiritual growth. Learn more at OzarksTeenChallenge.com, or facebook.com/ozarksteenchallenge
About Ozarks Food Harvest — The Food Bank
Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 270 charities across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank reaches 50,000 individuals monthly and provides more than 20 million meals annually. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.
Media Contact
Ozarks Teen Challenge *****@OzarksTC.org 4172723784 512 Purist Lane http://www.OzarksTeenChallenge.com
