News Release: 12/3/2025

ROLLA, MO—Phelps Health employees and volunteers stepped up to help the Greater Rolla Area Charitable Enterprise (G.R.A.C.E.) provide Thanksgiving meals to local families in need.

The Phelps Health Mission Possible team, an employee-led committee focused on service projects, sponsored the 15th annual “Basket of Thanksgiving” food drive, held October 1 through November 5, 2025. Employees and volunteers were encouraged to donate nonperishable food items to fill Thanksgiving boxes. Monetary donations were also accepted to purchase turkeys, butter, eggs and other perishable items families would need to prepare their holiday dinner.

This year, Mission Possible collected a total of 160 boxes of food, numerous additional food items and monetary donations of $4,800 ($30 per box) for families to spend on perishable items. G.R.A.C.E. then distributed the boxes to local families.
“On behalf of Mission Possible, I continue to be amazed by the generosity of our Phelps Health volunteers and employees,” said Preston Hodapp, director of Patient Access at Phelps Health. “Their commitment to giving back shines brighter every year, and this 15th annual Thanksgiving food drive is a powerful reminder of the compassion and community spirit that define our organization. I’d also like to extend a special thank-you to our Marketing and Auxiliary teams for their generous monetary contributions which helped make this year’s drive an even greater success.”

About Phelps Health
Phelps Health serves over 200,000 residents in south-central Missouri. Phelps Health is county-owned, non-tax supported and overseen by a five-member elected board. Phelps Health employs around 2,000 people, including 100-plus providers. Phelps Health, which includes a hospital licensed for 240 patient beds, serves a six-county area, with its main campus and several clinics in Rolla, Missouri. Phelps Health also has clinics in Salem, St. James, Vienna and Waynesville, Missouri. For more information, visit phelpshealth.org.