WRVEC 2018 Food Drive: Over $6,000 and 900 lbs. of food stays local
Lineman Ray Roy volunteers at the food drive in Ava.
Branson, Missouri – White River Valley Electric Cooperative and the surrounding community raised $6,396.68, and 917 lbs. of food and baby items during the annual Power to Turn Hunger into Hope food drive, benefitting people who rely on food banks in the cooperative’s five-county territory.
The drive took place over the course of six weeks and had events in Christian, Douglas, Stone, Ozark and Taney Counties. All donated food stayed within the community, and every dollar raised could purchase up to $10 worth of food from Ozarks Food Harvest.
“We are so appreciative of the collective efforts and the significant donations raised to better support food-insecure community members,” said WRVEC Programs Coordinator Kelsey Pemberton, who leads the food drive efforts. “It’s our goal to alleviate some of the burdens experienced by these individuals in our greater community.”
According to Feeding America, 1/6 of children in the nation are food insecure. The same source also found that over 80% of households in WRVEC’s territory qualify for WIC and reduced-price school lunches.
“We also want to thank all who donated, employees who volunteered, and the food banks for their continued partnership and support of this program,” said Pemberton.
The food drive ended on Nov. 9, just in time for the Thanksgiving season.
# # #
White River Valley Electric Cooperative is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative dedicated to ensuring our members receive safe and reliable service in their homes and businesses across five southwest Missouri counties including Ozark, Taney, Stone, Christian and Douglas.
