Commissioners Recognize Hunger Action Month, County Employees for Award-Winning Operation Feed Campa

yesterday’s General Session meeting, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners recognized September as Hunger Action Month, and received an update from the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and its efforts to address hunger in our community while providing healthy food for families in need.

In fiscal year 2014, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank distributed 54.6 million pounds of food and groceries, including 21.2 million pounds of fresh produce, through its network of more than 550 member agencies and community partners. The food bank also reported: 964,394 food pantry visits in Franklin County – 38.5% from households with children and 10.6% for seniors; 19,706,395 meals provided to partner agencies in Franklin County; and 12,279,559 pounds of fresh produce distributed to partner agencies in Franklin County.

Representatives from the Mid-Ohio Foodbank also recognized Franklin County employees for their prolific fund-raising in support of the community-wide 2014 Operation Feed Campaign with an Award of Excellence. Thirty-three county agencies participated and collectively raised nearly 430,000 meals for the hungry residents of Franklin County from April through June.

“I’m very proud of the work we do as county government to help our residents in need,” said Commission President Marilyn Brown. “I am equally proud of our county employees for their creative and inspiring efforts to raise money to feed families in our community that are struggling to make ends meet. Thanks also to our partners at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank for their outstanding work to end hunger one nourishing meal at a time.”

“Ending hunger has long been a strategic part of Franklin County's efforts. The Mid-Ohio Foodbank and Operation Feed are great partners,” said Commissioner Paula Brooks. “Our county employees truly care about the community they serve, and we are very proud of their compassionate action!"

“I say this all of the time – ‘our staff makes us look good everyday’ – and this is just another shining example of the compassionate and capable folks that work for the residents of Franklin County,” said Commissioner John O’Grady. “Meeting basic needs like hunger is important to me, and as you can see, it’s important to our employees.”