Ben Lunsford, junior business administration major and speech communication minor at College of the Ozarks, volunteered to help package meals.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — On Sunday, Jan. 19, more than 250 volunteers teamed with the Southwest Missouri Chick-fil-A franchises to package 80,550 meals for the non-profit organization, Feeding Children Everywhere.  

According to Andrew Bolger, director of The Keeter Center for Character Education, around 120 of the volunteers were College of the Ozarks students. The event took place in the Howell W. Keeter Gymnasium at College of the Ozarks and was completed in an hour and a half.

“Our desire is that many of the meals can be used with small to mid-sized organizations in Branson, Springfield, and Joplin,” Kevin Hutcheson, owner of the Chick-fil-A in Branson, said.

The all-natural meal, Red Lentil Jambalaya, was created with the help of a nutritionist to provide the healthiest meal possible.

“From November 11-December 31, 2019, when a guest purchased a 10-count mini, or 30-count chicken nugget, we would purchase 10 meals through Feeding Children Everywhere,” Hutcheson said.

Anna Collins, junior psychology major at College of the Ozarks, volunteered at the event.

“The best part of today is knowing that I am serving those in need with the blessings God gave me to serve,” Collins said.