Attend an Event

We host several events throughout September to raise funds for hunger relief. All proceeds from these events benefit our Weekend Backpack Program. We hope you can join us!

Hungerthon

September 11-14

Support the Weekend Backpack Program with the 28th annual Hungerthon radio fundraiser.

Hungerthon Day at McDonald's

September 14

Enjoy your favorites at participating McDonald's locations to benefit the Weekend Backpack Program.

Go Orange Auction

September 17-21

Bid on unique silent auction items like experience packages, gift baskets, meals at local restaurants and more.

Empty Bowls

Online: Sept. 24 - 30

In person: October 1

Purchase beautiful bowls hand-crafted by local artists.

Learn More

Go Orange Auction

September 17-21

Named for the color of Hunger Action Month, join us online September 17-21 to bid on silent auction items in the Go Orange Auction . Funds raised will benefit Ozarks Food Harvest's Weekend Backpack Program.

To donate silent auction items, or for more information, contact Angi Rowe at arowe@ozarksfoodharvest.org or 417-865-3411 x 170.

Looking for other ways to Go Orange with us? Here's how:

Wear orange! Any orange will do, but if you want to purchase a Hunger Action Month shirt you can find them at Five Pound Apparel or order online here. If you volunteer, they're only $10 and you can pick them up during your session! Proceeds from shirts support the Weekend Backpack Program.
Post on social media. Use #HungerActionMonth and #HungerHeroes to let everyone know you support our mission. Remember to tag Ozarks Food Harvest in your posts!

Bid Now

Check out our auction donors

Hungerthon

September 11-14

Join us for the 28th annual Hungerthon radio fundraiser to raise funds for the Weekend Backpack Program! This critical program provides nutritious meals and snacks to children facing hunger on the weekends when they don't have access to school meals.

Our Hungerthon goal this year is to raise $200,000 to sponsor 550 children every weekend for an entire school year.

This year, Ozarks Food Harvest is teaming up with Zimmer Communications in Springfield. Tune in to 98.7 The Dove, 93.7 The Stage, 96.9 The Jock, Real Country 101.3 and 93.3 AM 560 KWTO to listen for donation matches that will double your impact.

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Check out our sponsors

Donate Now

Empty Bowls

Online: September 24-30 | In person: October 1

Shopping Starts Sept. 24

Meet the Artists (2026 artists coming soon)

Empty Bowls serves as a reminder of the 1 in 4 children and 1 in 5 adults facing hunger in southwest Missouri. All the funds raised from this year’s event will support the Weekend Backpack Program.

You can purchase beautiful bowls made by local artists, and all proceeds will help provide weekend meals for students who would otherwise go without. The exhibit is open online September 24-30, and in-person at Panera on S. Campbell on October 1 from 3:00-7:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, or you're an artist who would like to donate your creations, contact Ali Pool at apool@ozarksfoodharvest.org for more info.

Special thank you to Holmes and Griffeth Financial Planners for their support of Empty Bowls.

Hungerthon

Sept. 10-13

Support the Weekend Backpack Program with iHeartRadio.

Learn More

Go Orange Day

Sept. 10

Grab some orange gear and get ready to raise awareness of hunger.

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Apron Fashion Show

Sept. 4-17

Bid on new and vintage aprons and a variety of items from local businesses online.

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Empty Bowls

Sept. 18-30

Purchase beautiful, handmade bowls from a local artist online.

Learn More

Hungerthon with iHeartRadio Springfield

September 10–13, 2021

Join us for Hungerthon! Ozarks Food Harvest and iHeartRadio Springfield are kicking off the radio-thon this September to raise funds for The Food Bank’s Weekend Backpack Program, which provides food-insecure children with a bag of nutritious meals and snacks to take home each weekend.

Tune in to Alice 95.5, US97, 100.5 The Wolf and 105.9 KGBX to listen for dollar-for-dollar matches that will double your impact.

A $360 donation will help provide a full year of meals for an at-risk child.

Listeners can donate by phone or make a pledge online. For a donation of $360, or $30 monthly, a child will receive two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, two snacks and drinks every weekend for an entire school year.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Sickinger at jsickinger@ozarksfoodharvest.org for more info.

LEARN MORE

Check Out Our Sponsors

This is one of my favorite events. I love how everyone comes together to support kids who need help in the Ozarks. It's just amazing.
— Bart Brown, President/CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest

Go Orange Day

September 10, 2020

On Sept. 10, thousands of hunger heroes across the country and here in southwest Missouri will go orange in an effort to raise awareness of the issue of hunger in the United States.

Join us with these ideas:

Wear orange. Volunteer during September to receive a shirt for just $5! You can also wear orange socks or an orange tie to let everyone know that you are fighting hunger.
Light up your front porch. Use an orange lightbulb to show your support.
Post on social media. Use #HungerActionMonth and #HungerHeroes to let your friends and family know you support our mission. Remember to tag Ozarks Food Harvest in your posts!

We’re excited to see how you go orange this year!

I go orange because I know that even some of my friends need help getting food sometimes.
—Andrew, 2nd grade student

Apron Fashion Show

September 4-17, 2020

Join us for two weeks of fashion and fun in partnership with Tea Bar & Bites. Place your bid on beautifully handcrafted and vintage aprons along with silent auction merchandise from local shops and restaurants to benefit Ozarks Food Harvest. Support Tea Bar & Bites by purchasing cafe gift cards. Handmade face coverings will also be available this year! All proceeds will benefit the Weekend Backpack Program.

Want to donate aprons, masks, silent auction items or ask questions? Contact Sarah Byrd at sbyrd@ozarksfoodharvest.org for more info.

BIDDInG STARTS SEPT. 4

Donate aprons

Aprons are significant to me because they represent special memories—like my grandma. She wore one for cooking, cleaning, gardening... she wore on most of the time. I imagine the women who wear the aprons I have and thank them for their good work.”

— Cyndy Eller, apron donor

Empty Bowls with Panera

September 18-30, 2020

Purchase ceramic and wooden bowls online to benefit The Food Bank through this year's Empty Bowls event. The first 250 donors will receive a coupon for a bowl of free soup and piece of bread from Panera, and two lucky donors will be chosen to receive free bread or bagels for a year.

You'll have two weeks to explore and shop for beautiful bowls! All bowls are handcrafted by artists in southwest Missouri.

The empty bowls serve as a reminder of those struggling with hunger in southwest Missouri. All the funds raised from this year’s event will support the Weekend Backpack Program.