CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! We’ve launched our volunteer sign-up to be part of OACAC’s 6th Annual MO Mac & Cheese Fest on Jan. 17, 2026! Fun, free mac & cheese, and making a difference in the community – what could be better? Click here to sign-up.......
Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating our 60th anniversary this week on 11/19/25! We’re deeply grateful for our community, partners, friends, dedicated staff, and board members who make our mission possible each day. A special thank you to Mayor Schrag for honoring......
The OACAC Area Board will meet at 6pm on December 2, 2025 at the OACAC Central Office and over Zoom....
OACAC offices and centers will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We’re grateful for our community and the countless ways you support our mission all year long. Wishing you a warm, safe, and meaningful holiday!......
Join Us for SHARE the Light kick-off event on December 6, 2025! This holiday season, we invite you to make a meaningful difference in our community by participating in the annual SHARE the Light event. Hosted by iHeart Radio, this is your chance to spread......
OACAC is again partnering with CAM, Home State Health, Revealz Ultrasound, Riley’s Treasures and Branson-Hollister Lions Club to host our 2nd Annual Community Baby Shower on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Branson Lions Club. Please see the invitation below for details and the registration link. Last......
Join OACAC for our 2nd Annual Gratitude Marathon, recognizing and thanking those who have supported our mission this year. Volunteers will make calls, send emails, and write postcards. It’s a wonderful time! Plus, we’ll have snacks. Sign up here. When: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 from 3:30 –......
Join the fun and march with OACAC in the Springfield Christmas Parade as we highlight our upcoming MO Mac & Cheese Fest. The first 20 people to sign up by November 20 will receive a 2026 MO Mac & Cheese Fest t-shirt, generously provided by our presenting......
In observance of Veterans Day, OACAC’s locations, except for Head Start Centers, will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Information and applications can be found on our website, www.oac.ac....
10/31/25: We’re grateful to everyone who came together this week—SNAP recipients, food resource partners, and community members—to discuss a collaborative response to the SNAP shutdown. An email outlining next steps is being sent to everyone who signed in at the meeting. If you weren’t able......
10/27/25: Our CSBG Outreach Center satellite office in Monett will be open on Wednesday from 8am – 5pm this week. Beginning in November, this office, located in the Clark Center, will be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8am – 5pm. The Clark Center is......
You are cordially invited to OACAC’s Anniversary Open House — a celebration of 60 years of planting hope, nurturing change, and growing strong communities. Join us for a come-and-go celebration with an opening presentation and Mayor’s proclamation at 1pm. Then visit stations throughout the building,......
October 2025: OACAC’s Head Start grant was funded on September 1, and therefore our funding is secure and we are not at risk for shutting down. We are stable and will continue to serve children and families! However, the Head Start program nationwide and all......
October 2025: Hello Community Partners and Friends. As you’ve likely heard, the recent federal shutdown will result in no SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits being distributed for November. With over 10% of Missourians relying on SNAP, this interruption will have devastating consequences for families......
We’re searching for OACAC’s 6th Annual MO Mac & Cheese Fest King & Queen! Do you know a young person, 9-13, who loves mac & cheese and would have fun being cheesy royalty? Please complete this survey and tell us all about them! Deadline to......
The OACAC Area Board will meet at 6pm on October 28, 2025 at the OACAC Central Office....
OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Monday, October 13, 2025 in observance of the holiday. Information and applications can be found on our website. www.oac.ac...
10/1/25: Congratulations to Suzanne Nimmo! Suzanne is the winner of the autographed vinyl Chappell Roan album which benefits OACAC Family Planning. Our big thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket and to Chappell Roan and her team for the donation....
It’s that time of year again when our CSBG team needs to update your household information. Please plan to come in to complete your intake. WHEN📌 October 7 or 8, 2025 between 9am – 3pm. No appointment needed. WHERE👉 OACAC Dade County Center, 803 Main......
October 1, 2025 marks the beginning of our new fiscal year for our agency and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Each new year requires a new LIHEAP application. The FY ’26 application will be mailed to out from the state of Missouri to......
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Outreach Centers will be open for appointments beginning October 1, 2025 at the following locations: Northern Outreach Center2110 S. Springfield Ave, BLDG 2 UNIT BBolivar, MO 65613 Central Outreach Center560 N. Stewart Ave. STE ASpringfield, MO 65802 Southern Outreach Center5571......
Win Big, Support Local We’re thrilled to raffle off an autographed copy of Chappell Roan’s album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess! OACAC’s Family Planning Clinic provides affordable, confidential, and compassionate services—like birth control, annual exams, STI testing and treatment, and education—helping individuals......
Save the date! OACAC’s 60th Anniversary Open House will take place on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 from 1-3pm at OACAC’s Central Office, 215 S. Barnes in Springfield, MO. This is a come and go event with history, fun, and memorabilia through the decades. More details......
This Winter, we invite you to stop by our OACAC Central Office for a tour of our building. Meet our team, hear about our programs and successes, see our Family Planning Clinic, and more! Free and open to the community. The tour will begin at......
OACAC Head Start is now enrolling in Taney County, MO!...
Don’t miss your chance at $55 tickets (fees included!) for Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Springfield on Friday December 5th! These tickets won’t last long as this is a limited time offer. AND REMEMBER, $1 of every ticket sold for this concert is being donated to us......
In memory and honor of former OACAC board member, Jack Gamble, the award for perfect attendance during the 2024-2025 fiscal year goes to our Lawrence County Advisory Board AND Dade County Advisory Board! This award was presented at the September 23, 2025 Area Board Meeting.......
We thank all the Southwest Missouri utility vendors, partners, and staff who attended our annual LIHEAP vendor meeting on Sept. 16, 2025. It was a day of connection, shared resources and best practices, and good information. Pictured: Inspired by the Village People’s YMCA, we gave......
Important Update 10/30: Today’s Weatherization Day Demonstration 2025 has been cancelled. We apologize for the short notice and appreciate your understanding. Join us for a live demonstration of Weatherization measures – free and open to the public! Hear one of our OACAC Weatherization crews talk......
We’ve been sharing news of the restructuring of our CSBG program and wanted to give an update. Between 9/22 – 9/30, all OACAC Neighborhood Centers will be closed as staff attend training. Centers will reopen on 10/1 in Bolivar, Springfield, and Branson. Additionally, a satellite......
The OACAC Area Board will meet at 6pm on September 23, 2025 via Zoom and individual locations....
We are honored to recognize Ryan Ricketts for his many years of dedicated service to OACAC. As Board Liaison to the Head Start Policy Council, Ryan has been a steady and reliable advocate for both the people we serve and our staff. His thoughtful listening,......
OACAC’s 6th Annual MO Mac & Cheese Fest, presented by Schreiber Foods, returns on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 from 11:30am* – 2:30pm at the University Plaza Convention Center, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway in Springfield. The MO Mac & Cheese Fest event connects fan......
Win Big, Support Local We’re thrilled to raffle off an autographed copy of Chappell Roan’s album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess! OACAC’s Family Planning Clinic provides affordable, confidential, and compassionate services—like birth control, annual exams, STI testing and treatment, and education—helping individuals......
OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025 in observance of Labor Day. We’ll reopen for regular business hours on Tuesday....
OACAC centers, offices, and our Family Planning clinic will be closed on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, to allow staff to participate in our annual all staff event. Information and applications can be found on our website at www.oac.ac. Pictured: Say cheese! Here’s our all staff......
The OACAC Area Board will meet at 6pm on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 via Zoom and individual locations. The meeting agenda is below....
Big Yard Sale at Head Start in Greenfield! Join us Friday, August 8, 2025 from 11 AM–2 PM at our Greenfield Head Start facility, 517 Park Street, for a can’t-miss yard sale full of treasures! Browse a wide selection of items including: Hundreds of children’s......
Join us for free lunch, good conversation, and a welcoming atmosphere as the Vitality Cafe presents, “Go with the Float” this summer.📌 8/8/25: 11:30am – 1pm at the Aurora Community Center📌 8/22/25: 11:30am – 1pm at the OACAC Barry County Neighborhood Center Thanks to Community......
The OACAC Area Board will hold a special meeting at 10am on July 25, 2025 via Zoom and individual locations....
July 2025: The retirement of our HR Director of 18 years and HR Administrative Assistant of 49 years means we have a new HR team! Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Jamie Raab, HR Director, and Emily Griffin, HR Coordinator. Jamie, pictured......
Join Us for Dunk for a Difference at the Route 66 Festival! We’re teaming up with Finnegan’s Wake for a splash-tastic day of fun, laughter, and giving back—and you’re invited! What’s Happening:Get ready to make a splash for a good cause! We’ll have scheduled dunks featuring......
July 14, 2025: Our Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program is being updated to help us support our neighbors in more flexible, responsive ways. New CSBG Outreach Centers will soon be opening in Greene, Taney, and Polk counties, with additional outreach hubs—including Monett—and more locations......
🎒 Have a student in Dade County?Our Dade County Neighborhood Center is now enrolling families for the Back to School Fair on August 5, 2025 from 9am – noon at 803 Main Street in Lockwood, MO. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your child ready......
On May 15, 2025, Vickie Waggoner, HR Administrative Assistant, retired after 49 years and nine months with OACAC. She started working here as a teen and quite literally grew up with OACAC. She saw several moves and changes to staff and programs through the decades,......
Sip for a cause this July! When you swing by Hold Fast Brewing throughout the month and order their light, refreshing Lemon Meringue Cream Ale, a portion of your purchase helps support poverty relief right here in Southwest Missouri. We’ll be hanging out on Tuesday, July......
Happy National Macaroni Day 2025! Save the date: OACAC’s 6th Annual MO Mac & Cheese Fest, presented by Schreiber Foods, will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026! Get ready to say cheese! The MO Mac & Cheese Fest is your ultimate mac attack destination—serving......
Purchase tickets for your chance to win one of three giveaways during the month of July! Tickets are $5/each, five for $20, or ten for $40. Drawings will be held on July 23, 2025 and winners will be contacted shortly after. Click on each link......
OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025 in observance of Independence Day. Applications and information about programs, employment, events, and more can be found by navigating our website....
Our CSBG Christian County Neighborhood Center will be closed on Thursday, July 3, 2025. Information and applications can be found on our website. www.oac.ac...
Wednesday, June 25 – Friday, June 27, 2025: Our CSBG Webster County Neighborhood Center is without air conditioning and will be closed due to heat for the remainder of the week. Information and applications can be found on our website. www.oac.ac...
This Fall, we invite you to stop by our OACAC Central Office for a tour of our building. Meet our team, hear about our programs and successes, see our Family Planning Clinic, and more! Free and open to the community. The tour will begin at......
Our AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program, which has served Southwest Missouri for more than 50 years, urgently needs YOUR SUPPORT! Details are below. Thank you....
During the month of July, Hold Fast Brewing will donate a portion of the charitable beer of the month to OACAC, supporting poverty relief in the Ozarks. On Tuesday, July 15, OACAC will be hosting an open house at Hold Fast, sharing news about our......
OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Information and applications can be found by navigating the tabs on our website....
All OACAC CSBG Neighborhood/Community Centers will be closed on Friday, June 27 for a staff meeting. Information and applications can be found on our website. www.oac.ac...
Adam Dixon, June 5, 2025 The memories come rushing out, as Janie Calton answers my scattershot of questions: ritual cardboard paper tube fights at Christmas, parent newsletters duplicated by hectograph, and being asked to adopt a child in her first year of teaching. I had......
Jeannie Moreno, Missouri Extension Youth Program Assistant with Webster County University, joined the Webster County Advisory Board and OACAC Area Board in 2002. She serves as vice president of the county board board and treasurer on the Area Board, and she is a member of......
The OACAC Area Board will hold a special meeting at 6pm on June 26, 2025 via Zoom and individual locations....
Our friends at Renew Missouri are now offering FREE home energy efficiency upgrades and repairs to low income households in Springfield, Missouri! Any Springfield resident who rents or owns a mobile or single-family home and has a household income that is at or less than......
Spend a simulated month in poverty to learn what daily realities low-income people face. The Community Action Poverty Simulation is an interactive experience which promotes poverty awareness, increases understanding, and inspires change. Hosted by Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC), this FREE Poverty Simulation is......
May 29, 2025: OACAC’s Family Planning clinic will be closed Monday, June 2 – Friday, June 6. The clinic will reopen on Monday, June 9. Call (417) 864-3410 to schedule an appointment or visit https://oac.ac/family-planning/ for information....
We thank Peggy for telling her story below. It’s one of resilience, and we are happy to be a small part of her big success. It all started two years ago. I was in an abusive situation that wasn’t getting better, I thought I could......
We’re grateful to Ozarks Food Harvest for their generous support in helping our CSBG Dade County Neighborhood Center purchase a new refrigerator and freezer for our food programs. This upgrade means fresh food, quality service, and a stronger response to the needs of our community.......
In the heart of a small town, there was a program that changed lives—The Head Start Program. For many, it was just a name, but for me, it was a lifeline. I still remember my own childhood filled with vibrant colors, laughter, and the warmth......
OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025 in observance of Memorial Day. We honor the brave who gave all for our freedom. Information and applications can be found at www.oac.ac....
May 23, 2025: The Patient Empowerment Project (PEP) is a transformative advocacy cohort designed to equip individuals with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to become powerful advocates for healthcare change. Participants will receive comprehensive advocacy training, personalized one-on-one support, and the unique opportunity to......
Thanks to our friends at The Crackerjack Shack, we’re doing another print run of our OACAC Family Planning t-shirts which are available in adult sizes small – 4XL. We’re accepting orders now through May 28, 2025. Click here to order. Thanks!...
📣 Calling all businesses, organizations, and volunteers! We’re looking for sponsors, giveaways, and vendors for our 24th Annual CSBG Barry County Neighborhood Center Back to School Extravaganza, happening this August. This event equips students in grades PreK-12 with the supplies they need to start the......
May 2025: We are grateful to Ozarks Food Harvest for selecting our Dade County Neighborhood Center as a recipient of an FY25 Strengthening Our Network Grant. This funding helps us expand food access in Dade County, Missouri. ...
A Journey of Growth and Transformation with OACAC Head Start by Angie Presley OACAC Head Start has been a beacon of hope and a pillar of support for my family and me. We are a blended family, and I am a mother of 3 children......
We’re cleaning out our shed and will be hosting a very free event. Come find some treasures and take what you’d like! The assortment is vast and may include holiday items, décor, household goods, and much more. When: Friday, June 13, 2025 from 10am –......
Our CSBG Barry County Neighborhood Center is hosting an open house and you’re invited! Meet our team, tour the facility, learn about services, and enjoy light refreshments.When: Friday, May 30 from 9am-11amWhere: 10826 FR 2172 in Cassville...
5/20/25: Our Spring Into Summer online auction is LIVE! Experiences, travel, food, art, sports, and MORE! Take a look at all the great items available here. The auction will be live from May 20 – June 3, 2025. 100% of the proceeds support life-changing opportunities......
Monday, May 19, 2025: Out of an abundance of caution given the threat of severe weather this afternoon, OACAC will close offices and centers at 3 pm. Be safe!...
Your support matters. We are seeking sign-on commitments from community organizations, elected officials, business leaders, and other key stakeholders who recognize the value of CSBG. Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is essential to the work of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across Missouri. It enables locally......
The OACAC Area Board will meet at 6pm on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 via Zoom and individual locations. The meeting agenda is below....
Our 2025 online Spring Into Summer auction is coming, just in time for summer adventures, Father’s Day gifts, birthdays, and simply because! Find unique items, gift cards, experiences, and more. 100% of the proceeds support life-changing opportunities and resources for the individuals and families we......
(5/12/25) The Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) Bolivar Broadway Head Start Center is proud to announce its Diamond Jubilee Celebration in honor of the 60th Anniversary of Head Start. The event will take place on Monday, May 20, 2025 at 5:30pm at Dunnegan Park......
“Head Start is a wonderful and much needed program. The skills my children will carry on as they navigate through life are amazing and all due to the program.” Marcella is a proud parent whose children learned a lot from attending Head Start. Read her......
Friday May 1, 2025 Update: Due to storm-related power outages this week, our Greene County Center remains closed. The Lawrence County Neighborhood Center has reopened this morning until 1pm. Visit www.oac.ac for information and applications....
May 1, 2025 Update: Due to storm-related power outages this week, our Weatherization office, Greene County Center, and Lawrence County Neighborhood Center remain closed today. Information and applications can be found on our website....
April 29, 2025: Due to the storm that moved through this morning and caused power outages across our service area, our Lawrence and Webster County Neighborhood Centers have closed for the day. Our Weatherization office will close at Noon. We will update this post with......
Join us in saying a big thank you to Susan Flores, our board member highlight for April. Susan is an enthusiastic and giving member who has actively served on our board for several years. She is driven and works diligently to strengthen lives in SW......
If you’re looking for OACAC wearables, click here to visit the Crackerjack Shack Spirit Store. ** New in the Store ** We’ve added t’s and more with our retro logo and new 60th anniversary logo. With more than 60 options including baseball tee’s, sweatshirts, hoodies,......
Throughout the four full weeks of May 2025, it is our goal to collect 60+ items for each of the four programs below, to share with the communities we serve! May 4-10: 60 for Kiddos—Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Help us collect 60 packages of unscented......
Calling all SW MO Advocacy Champions! Join us at The Pitch Pizza & Pub to hear about PEP – an advocacy cohort forming now. Bring a friend for free pizza, giveaways, and information on making a positive impact in our community. When: Friday, May 2,......
Grab your best corn hole buddy and join us for our Second Annual Cornhole Tournament & Silent Auction! When: Saturday, June 7, 2025 beginning at 10amWhere: OACAC Taney County Neighborhood Center, 5571 Gretna Road, Suite A in Branson, MOWhat: Team of 2 = $40 Register......
Dear Head Start Families, Since 1966, we have, in good faith and cheer, served you and generations of our brothers and sisters in Missouri. We have cared for and witnessed your children grow—bright and wonderful. We have tirelessly upheld the mission of Head Start for......
The OACAC Area Board will meet at 6pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 via Zoom and individual locations. The meeting agenda is below....
For Immediate ReleaseApril 16, 2025 Mayday: A Community Conversation About the Title X Funding Freeze & What It Means for OACAC Family Planning SPRINGFIELD, MO — Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) invites the public to a critical community conversation about the future of Title......
The People’s Pantry project provides freestanding pantries in multiple locations across SW MO. Filled with shelf stable food, fresh produce, hygiene items, and more, people are encouraged to take what they need and leave what they can....
Our Polk County Community Center will be closed on Thursday, April 17. Information and applications can be found on our website....
The American College of Financial Services is offering a free state-of-the-art education and empowerment e-learning experience for those who want to improve their understanding of money and personal finance. It’s best for ages 18+, college students, adult learners, career readiness, and employee wellbeing. The class......
The graphic below from Missouri Family Health Council, Inc. was shared on Facebook on 4/1/25. It states, “For decades, MFHC has been proud to lead the Title X family planning program, supporting a network delivering high-quality, affordable healthcare to tens of thousands of Missourians and......
(April 4, 2025) This week, all Federal staff responsible for managing the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) were laid off. Funding for LIHEAP has been appropriated and we want to assure our community we are continuing to provide these critically important services. We......
March 27, 2025: Due to an unexpected maintenance issue, our Greene County Center will be closed for the remainder of today and all of Friday, March 28....
We are pleased to recognize Katrina Green as our board member for March! Katrina can be found at just about any OACAC fundraiser, event, and meeting, lending a hand and actively engaged in countless ways. For more than 10 years, she has been an advocate......
On Wednesday, March 26, OACAC Neighborhood Centers in Barry and Lawrence counties will be closed in the morning. Both will open at 1pm....
The OACAC Area Board will meet at 6pm on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 via Zoom and individual locations. The meeting agenda is below....
