Fighting Hunger with Ozarks Food Harvest

Rapid Robert’s Raises $5,000 for Ozarks Food Harvest’s Weekend Backpack Program through Food Fight Competition

Rapid Robert’s, a locally owned convenience store chain, proudly announces it has raised $5,000 for Ozarks Food Harvest’s Weekend Backpack Program through its participation in the 2025 Food Fight competition. This annual event, hosted by Ozarks Food Harvest, rallies businesses and organizations to combat hunger by raising funds and collecting food donations for children and families in southwest Missouri.

The Weekend Backpack Program provides food-insecure children with a bag of nutritious, child-friendly food to take home every Friday during the school year, ensuring they have meals over the weekend when school lunches are unavailable. With one in five children in southwest Missouri facing hunger, Rapid Robert’s contribution will provide approximately 15,000 meals to support this critical program. 

“We’re thrilled to support Ozarks Food Harvest and the Weekend Backpack Program through the Food Fight competition,” said Todd Wilson, COO at Rapid Robert’s. “Our team, customers, and community came together to make a meaningful impact for kids who need it most. Hunger is a real challenge in the Ozarks, and we’re proud to help transform hunger into hope.” 

The Food Fight competition, held from February 28 – March 13, encourages participants to raise funds and collect non-perishable food items to support Ozarks Food Harvest’s network of hunger-relief programs. Rapid Robert’s leveraged its 30+ locations across southwest Missouri to engage customers and employees, surpassing its fundraising goal. Every dollar raised provides three meals, amplifying the impact of their efforts. 

“Rapid Robert’s commitment to the Food Fight and the Weekend Backpack Program is truly inspiring,” said Allie Smith, Corporate Development Director of Ozarks Food Harvest. “Their $5,000 donation will ensure hundreds of children have access to nutritious meals on weekends, helping them thrive in school and beyond. We’re grateful for their partnership in fighting hunger in our community.”

Ozarks Food Harvest, the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serves 270 hunger-relief organizations across 28 counties, reaching nearly 70,000 individuals monthly and providing over 20 million meals annually. The Weekend Backpack Program distributes nearly 58,000 backpacks each year to children in need. 

For more information about the Food Fight competition, visit ozarksfoodharvest.org/events/food-fight-2025. To learn more about the Weekend Backpack Program, visit ozarksfoodharvest.org/programs/backpack.

About Rapid Robert’s

Rapid Robert’s, founded in 1983, operates over 30 convenience stores across southwest Missouri, offering quality fuel, food, and exceptional customer service. Committed to giving back, Rapid Robert’s supports local initiatives that strengthen the communities it serves.

About Ozarks Food Harvest

Founded in 1983, Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 270 organizations across 28 counties. The Food Bank provides more than 20 million meals annually, reaching 70,000 individuals monthly through programs like the Weekend Backpack Program. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org.

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