January 2016
Agencies make New Year’s resolutions
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s 2015 came to an end, several agencies in Ozarks Food Harvest’s network have set high goals for the new year. Ash Grove Food Pantry This past year had some triumphs and challenges for the Ash Grove Food Pantry. It received two grants, one from the Musgrave Foundation and the other from the Greene County Senior Services Fund. But the pantry also experienced the deaths of two board members: Viv West and Joan Cotter. Pantry president Deanna Monnig said Cotter and West were driving forces behind the pantry. “The best way for us to show our love and appreciation for these two wonderful friends is to work harder and make our pantry bigger and better,” Monnig said. In the new year, the Ash Grove pantry plans to add a kitchen. It has already purchased a sink, stove and ice maker, and is currently working with construction companies to get the kitchen up and running in early 2016. “With our kitchen, not only can we have future fundraisers right in our building, but we also hope to teach some of our clients how to cook with the food they receive from the pantry,” Monnig said. The pantry also wants to connect its seniors with the community’s young people. Monnig said, “I think we can make 2016 even better than any of our past years.” Hickory County C.A.R.E.S. In this new year, Hickory County C.A.R.E.S.
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plans to better meet the needs of Hickory County residents by participating in local activities, expanding the services offered and pursuing more fundraising opportunities. The pantry will offer residents food pick-up three SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OZARKS FOOD HARVEST’S HUNGER-RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION IN 2015. TOGETHER WE days a week and CAN MAKE 2016 EVEN BETTER AND BRIGHTER FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. personal hygiene products twice a year. “We also look forward to creating a campus Hickory County C.A.R.E.S. has set a goal to for employment training, after-school raise $10,000 on Give Ozarks Day, May 3, and programming for kids and a work voucher plans to utilize all grant opportunities in 2016. system where folks can work a few hours then Finally, by improving the Hickory County redeem vouchers for needed services such C.A.R.E.S. website and Facebook page, the as clothing, food and laundry,” Community pantry hopes to improve public awareness of Relations Manager Ashley Lauer shared. the services it offers to the community and Marshfield Senior Center the needs of its clients. For five years, the Marshfield Senior Center Jesus Was Homeless has worked toward moving into a new home. In 2016, Jesus Was Homeless plans to It has resolved that this will be the year it continue its mission of transforming lives into begins construction. a new way of living by delivering 1,200 sack Director Chris Parker said, “This will allow us meals to homeless individuals in the Branson to reach more seniors, expand our programs community. and better serve our people. We are looking Through the meals, Jesus Was Homeless is forward to leaving our old home for a new able to build relationships and connect clients one — and taking our community partners with support services. like Ozarks Food Harvest with us.”
Senior centers give extra this Christmas Agency Director Spotlight: Meet Chris Parker Help Center raises funds for new building TEFAP guidelines for agencies