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In 2007, Mid-Ohio FoodBank's network of 133 food pantries responded to 736,023 requests for assistance, a 6.2 percent increase over 2006. Each request translated to food for a minimum of nine meals, and thirty-eight percent of those requests were for children. Today the demand for emergency food in Franklin County is at an all time high. Commissioners are expected to pass a resolution for $100,000 in order to allow the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to continue to supply the basic need of food to Franklin County residents.
The funding will be used to collect and distribute food consistently and efficiently to Franklin County residents who need it. The Mid-Ohio FoodBank has been a catalyst in providing food and grocery products to a network of 300 food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, homeless shelters, and afterschool programs in Franklin County.
“Too many families in Franklin County are in critical need of food and the numbers just keep growing,” said Board President Marilyn Brown. “This partnership with Mid-Ohio FoodBank is a wonderful way to leverage more funding to serve our residents with the basic but essential healthy food.”
Through this one year contract the county will underwrite a year of costs associated with expanded food pickups to retail store locations. The FoodBank will utilize two trucks to make these pick-ups and county funds will help pay for the cost of these expanded operations including drivers, distribution and the rising cost of fuel.
“Hunger is real right here in Central Ohio,” stated Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy. “I am glad that the county is again able to assist the Mid-Ohio FoodBank in this manner and I urge all of those who are able to do so to contribute food items or money because no one in this community should have to go to bed hungry.”
“We have grown our assistance to Mid-Ohio FoodBank over the last several years to protect children, seniors, and the most vulnerable,” said Commissioner Paula Brooks. “No one should go hungry in Central Ohio.”
“The request for help is at an all time high and this is an example of a great public and private partnership,” said Matt Habash Executive Director Mid-Ohio FoodBank. “The dollars that we are receiving from the county will be used to cover the operating expenses of two new trucks and those trucks will be used to pickup meat and poultry items from over 40 grocery stores.”
Commissioners are encouraging individuals, business, and corporations to get involved with Operation Feed and give to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank.
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