St. John's Clinic physicians and co-workers raised $80,000 for two local charities that play a vital role in helping those in need, particularly during the holiday season.

Physicians and staff will presented $40,000 checks to Ozarks Food Harvest and The Kitchen.

Ozarks Food Harvest serves as a clearinghouse for donated food that might otherwise go to waste. Funds from this year's Force for Good Campaign: "Pack Up Your Troubles" will support Ozarks Food Harvest's Food for Thought backpack program.

 It provides severely at-risk children with a backpack filled with nutritious, child-friendly foods for them to take home on the weekends, when they might otherwise go hungry.

Because of St. John's support last year they were able to expand from 8 to 17 schools throughout the area.

In an effort to prevent homelessness, The Kitchen's Community Outreach program provides assistance with rent and utility payments. Last year, 324 adults and 256 children were able to stay in their homes through the support of Force for Good. For the third consecutive year, St. John's Clinic will support this important program.

"We can't sit by and do nothing when people need help," explains Donn Sorensen, St. John's Clinic senior vice president and chief operating officer. "During the holiday season we all expect the comforts of home, a delicious holiday meal and the support of family. But not all people are fortunate to have these things, so we want to help. We want them to know the St. John's Clinic family is here for them."

St. John's Clinic physicians and staff take care of 1.4 million patients each year. Not all have the means to pay basic necessities, like health care, food and shelter.

"Our clinic is made up of physicians, co-workers, and administrators who are in the business of caring for people. I am amazed on a daily basis at the generosity and compassion that my co-workers show - not only at Christmas, but every day. We, as a clinic, recognize that we are members of a greater community and continue to try to recognize where there is a need - and to fill that need. That is what we do," says Teresa Olsen, M.D., St. John's Clinic internist.

St. John's Clinic consists of over 460 physicians and 100 mid-level and allied health practitioners in Missouri and Arkansas. In total, St. John's Clinic provides medical services in over 70 offices in 35 communities covering 20,000 square miles. With approximately equal numbers of primary care and specialty physicians, St. John's Clinic covers all major specialties with special emphasis on cardiology, pediatric subspecialties, orthopedics/sports medicine, urology, neurosurgery, oncology and radiology.
St. John's Health System includes St. John's Clinic, six regional hospitals and St. John's Health Plans.

FOR MEDIA INFORMATION, CONTACT ST. JOHN’S MEDIA RELATIONS AT 417-820-2426 OR CSCOTT@SPRG.MERCY.NET.