‘Tis the season for giving! As many of us reflect on the blessings we’ve received this past year, we seek to share those resources with those in need to make positive change in the world around us. There are many ways we can give back. Here are just 10 ways to give back in the Ozarks!
#1 Alpha House Pregnancy Resource Center
Located in Bolivar, MO, Alpha House is a Christ-centered ministry providing resources, education, guidance and support to mothers and fathers who face an unplanned pregnancy. Thanks to financial support from the surrounding communities, all of Alpha House’s clients receive services and resources free of charge. This organization has served Polk, Cedar, Dade, Dallas and Hickory Counties for the past 30 years.
Click here to make a donation or learn about volunteer opportunities!
#2 AMVETS
AMVETS (American Veterans) is a Congressionally-chartered veterans service organization designed to support and protect our nation’s veterans. AMVETS strives to improve the lives of veterans along with their families and the communities in which they live through leadership, advocacy, and services.
#3 Community Outreach Ministries
Community Outreach Ministries strives to fight poverty and hunger in Polk County through operating the Food Pantry for Polk County, serving as the local Salvation Army Service Extension Unit, and running the Golden Rule Thrift Store. This ministry is located in Bolivar and partners with an abundance of organizations in the surrounding communities. Check out the website to learn how you can volunteer and get involved!
Click here to give back and make an online donation!
#4 Convoy of Hope
As a faith-based, nonprofit organization, Convoy of Hope helps empower others to live with greater independence and freedom from poverty, disease, and hunger. Convoy of Hope serves people both locally and around the world through providing food, health and dental screenings, haircuts, job-placement assistance, and much more. Currently more than 200,000 children in 14 nations are being fed nutritious meals by this organization. Convoy of Hope also strives to enable vulnerable farmers through harvesting food and provide disaster relief around the world.
Click here to give HOPE through a financial gift.
#5 Disabled American Veterans
DAV is a nonprofit charity that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations and their families, helping more than 1 million veterans in positive, life-changing ways each year. Some DAV services include rides to medical appointments, assistance with medical claims, connecting veterans with employment opportunities. All services are provided at no cost to generations of veterans, their families and survivors. DAV has over 1,300 chapters, and one of those is located right here in Buffalo, MO.
Click here to make a donation to support our veterans.
#6 Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity helps families build and improve places to call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. This national organization strives to provide people with the strength, stability and independence they need to get back on their feet. You can find HFH organizations in Buffalo, Springfield, Camdenton, Aurora, Nevada, and Bolivar, MO.
Click here to give back and help build a stronger community.
#7 House of Hope
Polk County House of Hope provides immediate and long-term safety to victims of domestic and sexual violence and their children. Some of the services they provide include emergency shelter for victims of violence and abuse, outreach services and support for those who do not need shelter services, and advocacy at the individual, local, and state level. House of Hope works to prevent future violence through education, intervention, and advocacy.
Click here to support House of Hope with a financial gift and find a list of items you can donate.
#8 NightLight International
NightLight is an international organization fighting sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. NightLight offers intervention to sexually exploited women and children, to enable them to discover their dignity, and to provide a program of holistic transformation, empowering them to live and work in their community. With a location in Springfield, this organization sets out to rescue and restore victims of these crimes while bringing awareness to this issue in our communities.
Click here to become a financial partner. Click here to find out about volunteer opportunities.
#9 Ozarks Food Harvest
The Ozarks Food Harvest is a staple in our communities providing $29.5 million to over 270 network partners right here at home each year. OFH fights against hunger by feeding children through the weekend backpack program, after school, and summer programs. They feed families and seniors through their mobile food pantry and senior food programs. Ozarks Food Harvest receives, processes and distributes enough food for nearly 1.4 million meals each month.
Click here to become a donor and learn how you can help.
#10 Ronald McDonald House Charities
RMHC provides a comfortable home environment for families when their seriously-ill or injured child is in a hospital far from home. The Ronald McDonald House has a location near Cox South and a second inside Mercy Kids in Springfield, MO. More than 800 families come stay at the Ronald McDonald House each year finding love, care, compassion and hope as their child faces challenges no child should face.
Click here to give back and learn about volunteer opportunities.
This holiday season, we invite you to give back! “Compassion is even more powerful than courage. Sure, with courage you can conquer a world – but only with compassion can you heal and build it.” ― Rasheed Ogunlaru
Click here for more resources about the community of Bolivar and surrounding towns.