Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced this week $5 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding will be divided among Missouri’s six regional food banks to help citizens who continue to rely on food assistance.
The food banks serve the needs of more than 1,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters and other meal sites across the state.
“Protecting the health and well-being of Missourians is a key component of our Show Me Strong Recovery Plan,” Governor Parson says. “This additional funding for food banks will help ensure continued access to good nutrition for Missouri’s vulnerable citizens during these challenging times.”
Ozarks Food Harvest of Springfield will share in the $5 million distribution with $925,073 in funding.
Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 270 hunger-relief organizations across 28 Ozarks counties, including Howell, Ozark and Taney.
“Keeping up with the demand on food banks has been an ongoing challenge during COVID-19,” Department of Social Services Acting Director Jennifer Tidball says. “This additional $5 million from the CARES Act provides vital support to those local entities assisting Missouri citizens with food.”
“The pandemic’s impact on Missouri’s food banks has been profound,” says Feeding Missouri Executive Director Scott Baker. “Food is more expensive and harder to acquire, more people need it, and fewer people are available to help distribute it. These additional funds will help us keep up with higher demand and ensure food is available for struggling Missouri families. We are very grateful to Governor Parson and the state of Missouri for recognizing the need and partnering with us to help address the problem.”
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