Ozarks Food Harvest to distribute 10,000 Garden To-Go Kits
Ozarks Food Harvest’s Full Circle Gardens program will distribute more than 10,000 Garden-To-Go Kits this spring to help families facing hunger in the Ozarks grow their own food.
The Food Bank received a donation of more than $1.4 million worth of seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company along with contributions from Seed Savers Exchange, The Buffalo Seed Company, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee Seeds and other local retailers. The total seed donation is valued at more than $1.5 million.
Each kit contains seeds for a flower, herb and eight different vegetables. To make planting easier, the kits also contain a specific planting calendar with links to gardening instructions and budget-friendly cookbooks.
The Food Bank will distribute their Garden-To-Go Kits through its network of 270 faith-based and community charities and other Missouri food banks — to find the closest participating charity, visit ozarksfoodharvest.org/need-help, call Ozarks Food Harvest’s Full Circle Gardens team at 417-864-3411 ext. 154 or email fullcirclegardens@ozarksfoodharvest.org.
Volunteers and donors who are able to plan extra fruits or vegetables in their own gardens to share with The Food Bank are encouraged to contact the Full Circle Gardens team at fullcirclegardens@ozarksfoodharvest.org to harvest and collect your donation. For more information about volunteering or donating produce, visit ozarksfoodharvest.org/volunteer.
Springfield Art Museum expansion will break ground
The public is invited to an official groundbreaking ceremony at the Springfield Art Museum on Friday, Feb. 28, to mark the start of Phase 1 of the museum’s renovation and expansion project. The free event will take place at 11 a.m. in the Springfield Art Museum auditorium at 1111 E. Brookside Drive.
“Since 1928, the Springfield Art Museum has long been a cornerstone of cultural heritage, and through this expansion, we are building a future that preserves our legacy while propelling Springfield to the forefront of cultural and creative tourism,” museum director Nick Nelson said in a news release.
Remarks are planned from state Sen. Lincoln Hough, Springfield Mayor Ken McClure and Nelson starting at 11:15 a.m., followed by a reception and light lunch in the Museum lobby from 11:45-12:30 p.m. Contractors also will be on hand to discuss construction-related questions.
The museum’s “2028 Campaign” has raised more than $37 million toward the expansion and renovation, including private donations as well as state and federal funding.
Walden joins CFO as VP of community impact
Community Foundation of the Ozarks announced it has hired Ashley Walden as its vice president of community impact, starting Feb. 18.
Walden, who will guide the CFO’s grantmaking and scholarship programs, has years of nonprofit leadership experience, most recently as the senior development officer for the Mercy Health Foundation. She previously served as executive director for Springfield Ballet and director of operations for United Way of the Ozarks.
She graduated from Drury University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, is a member of Rotary Club of Southeast Springfield and chairs its Rotary Youth Leadership Awards committee. Walden also has volunteered with Springfield Ballet Guild, Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland and Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club. She is a member of Leadership Springfield’s Signature Class 33.
Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign raised $750,000
The Salvation Army of Springfield announced that it raised $750,393 during its 2024 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign, along with $85,000 in gift-in-kind donations that included a record-breaking 6,759 toys, along with bikes, clothing and food to brighten the holiday season for struggling families.
During the campaign, 344 volunteers spent 1,610 hours raising money provided 1,326 individuals with holiday assistance, including food vouchers, gift cards, clothing items, gifts and more, while serving a Christmas Day meal to more than 120 people facing hardship.
In addition to thanking donors, volunteers and community partners, The Salvation Army of Springfield is still seeking donations to reach it’s $923,000 campaign goal. By closing the $172,000 gap, the organization hopes to ensure it can adequately support critical programs, including food assistance, shelter, emergency services and support for individuals and families in crisis.
To donate or learn more about how to help, please visit www.SalvationArmySpringfield.org or call 417-862-5509.