Ozarks Food Harvest received a 40,000-pound donation of protein today from McDonald’s and Tyson Foods to help children, families and seniors facing hunger across southwest Missouri. Tyson Foods made their donation in honor of McDonald’s $17,000 donation to The Food Bank’s Hungerthon event.
Tyson Foods, in partnership with McDonald’s, donated more than 40,000 pounds of chicken breast fillet fritters, which will help provide more than 33,000 meals through Ozarks Food Harvest’s network of 270 faith-based and community charities.
“Local McDonald’s owners, operators and their families across the greater Springfield area greatly value our commitment to Ozarks Food Harvest. We support the important work being done at The Food Bank and have seen firsthand the impact they have in the community,” said Ryan Blumenstock, McDonald’s local owner and operator. “Alongside our partners at Tyson, we’re excited to give back for the 18th year in a row. We make these donations to support hunger-relief efforts in the Ozarks and let our neighbors facing hunger know how much we care.”
Protein-rich foods are one of the most-requested items from Ozarks Food Harvest’s network of faith-based and community charities. In Ozarks Food Harvest’s service area, 1 in 5 children and 1 in 6 adults face hunger.
“We’re so appreciative of this generous donation of protein and funds that will help folks who are struggling with increased grocery prices during the holiday season,” said Bart Brown, president and CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest. “McDonald’s and Tyson are wonderful partners in supporting our mission to end hunger in the Ozarks.”
McDonald’s support for this donation includes: Ryan and Rikki Blumenstock, Chip and Teresa McGeehan, Phil and Jane Ann Stocker, Ashley and Tony Kalil, Andy and Jennifer Ruprect, Daphne and Matt Simpson, alongside Tyson partners including Reese Bailey, Steve Meves and the McDonald’s Tyson team.
McDonald’s and Tyson Foods have supported Ozarks Food Harvest since 2008. McDonald’s has hosted multiple fundraisers to help provide more than 400,000 meals, and Tyson has donated more than 694,000 pounds of chicken.
