Realtors from around the Branson area braved the cold as they spent the day collecting groceries as part of the Holiday Food Harvest.
The Holiday Food Harvest began in the early 1990s, when what was then Hometown Radio (now Ozarks DynaCom) answered a request by Family Services for help with a food drive. The Tri-Lakes Board of realtors joined in the fun in 2006, and the two organizations continue to work together for the good of the community each year.
The food drive is held the day before Thanksgiving each year—largest grocery shopping day of the year—to help stock food banks for the holidays and coming winter months.
Last Wednesday's food drive found realtors stationed at eight area grocery stores, in Branson, Hollister, Kimberling City and Forsyth. Food items they collected, as well as monetary donations, were given to Christian Action Ministries and Salvation Army.
Travis Spratt, with Weichert Realty—The Griffin Company, and Preston Robertson of Keller Williams were collecting donations at Rhodes Family Price Chopper in Branson.
"I've been doing this probably eight years," said Spratt. "I love to help. It's wonderful to meet people and to give back. And it's so cool to see people with so much generosity."
Preston Robertson, of Keller Williams Realty agreed, noting, "I've been a realtor for 11 years, and I think I've participated every year, so 10 or 11 years now. I do this because there is a need in our community. And, our community steps up, every year, in a great way. It really makes my heart happy, just to see how much is gathered and how generous our community is, whether it's been a good year or a bad year."
Robertson added, "Response this year has been good, despite the cold and the weather."
At press time, there was no official word on how much food or cash was collected, however hopes were high that this year's Food Harvest would beat last year's totals of three tons of food and just over $20,600.
Comments