WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The next prequalification for the Ozarks Food Harvest Mobile Food Pantry will be from 4 to 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the West Plains Public Library Community Room, 750 W. Broadway. This will be the last mobile food pantry prequalification and distribution in West Plains.
Officials with Ozarks Food Harvest in Springfield have announced they will end the mobile food pantry distribution services in West Plains after December. December’s mobile food pantry is being sponsored by the Lelia Heuer Foundation.
Ozarks Food Harvest administrators have evaluated food assistance options in the community and are confident this adjustment will allow for better opportunities for people in need by redirecting mobile food pantry recipients to brick and mortar pantries in the West Plains, Mtn. View and Willow Springs communities. These sites will be a better fit for recipients and will provide long-term help, they said.
Ozarks Food Harvest began mobile food pantry distribution services in West Plains in 2010 as a temporary solution to food assistance needs facing Howell County communities, as well as students at Missouri State University-West Plains and South Central Career Center. It has been funded by the Lelia Heuer Foundation and through generous contributions from local churches, individuals and service organizations.
Beginning in January families and students who previously received food at the mobile food pantry are now encouraged to visit the First Baptist Church Food Pantry at 120 Walnut St. or the Samaritan Outreach Center at 715 Missouri Ave. in West Plains. Between these two pantries, both located less than a mile from the West Plains Civic Center, food assistance is available every weekday, giving more opportunity for people in need, Ozarks Food Harvest officials said.
“We’re willing to help out anyone that has a need,” said Ed Crampton, pantry director at First Baptist Church.
First Baptist’s pantry is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon, with commodities distributed the first week of the month. The Samaritan Outreach pantry is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Those who wish to receive food assistance from the pantries should bring an ID card, proof of income and proof of address. Social Security numbers and names are also needed for everyone in the household.
Volunteers with Ozarks Food Harvest’s mobile food pantry are encouraged to call Crampton at 417-256-0308 for volunteer opportunities at the pantry.
December’s eligibility criteria will remain the same as prior months. Those eligible to apply for this assistance include area families with children ages birth through 18 who live within Howell County. This includes the communities of West Plains, Willow Springs and Mountain View. Previously, the criteria only included families who lived within the boundaries of the West Plains R-7 School District or surrounding rural school districts.
Students enrolled at Missouri State University-West Plains and the South Central Career Center also are eligible, organizers said, provided they meet income guidelines. Missouri State students must present their student identification cards and a current class schedule in person; they may not send them with a family member. Families will receive only one voucher per family.
Those who apply must bring the following documentation to the prequalification:
• A driver’s license or photo ID;
• Current income or unemployment verification for all adults age 19 and over living within the household. Payroll stubs or printouts to verify income must be within the last 90 days;
• Proof of Howell County residency such as a voter registration card, property tax bill, electric bill or other mail received at the current Howell County address. Proof of Howell County residency does not apply to Missouri State-West Plains or South Central Career Service students;
• Proof of children’s names and ages from Medicaid cards, shot records, grade cards or birth certificates. Social Security cards will not be accepted as proof of children’s names and ages;
• Telephone number.
Volunteers will verify documentation of those seeking assistance at the prequalification and give vouchers for the date of the truck delivery. Families will receive only one voucher. Only people receiving vouchers during the scheduled prequalification time at the library will receive food from the truck during the December delivery, organizers stressed, adding vouchers must be received every month for truck delivery. There will be no exceptions.
Organizers said they are very grateful for the community agencies, groups and volunteers who have sponsored and worked at the mobile food pantry prequalifications and distributions since April 2010. Thanks also is extended to Missouri State University-West Plains, the West Plains Public Library, the West Plains Civic Center and the West Plains Fire Department for their help, support and generosity.
All questions are to be directed to Ozarks Food Harvest’s Member Services Department at 417-380-5007.