Fill the Freezer Campaign Provides Nearly 22,000 Pounds of Meat to Local Food Pantries
Community generosity is helping put more protein on the tables of neighbors across Southeast Ohio.
This year's Fill the Freezer campaign brought together livestock buyers and community members to help provide locally donated pork to food pantries throughout Southeast Ohio. The grassroots effort invites livestock buyers to donate hogs, turning those donations into thousands of pounds of meat for families and individuals facing food insecurity.
The numbers are in, and this year's campaign collected an impressive 21,995 pounds of meat across four counties:
- Jackson County: 2,400 pounds
- Gallia County: 5,292 pounds
- Perry County: 11,550 pounds
- Hocking County: 2,753 pounds
Protein is one of the most needed items at food pantries. While canned goods and other shelf-stable foods are important, having access to meat gives families more options when preparing nutritious meals.
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) coordinates Fill the Freezer in partnership with local community foundations throughout its service area. The SE Ohio Foodbank serves as the storage and distribution hub for the donated meat. Once received, the meat is inspected, stored, and distributed to hunger relief agencies serving local communities.
Behind every pound is a livestock buyer, donor, volunteer, or community partner who helped make this effort possible. Together, their generosity is helping local food pantries provide something their neighbors need and often have difficulty accessing.
Thank you to everyone who took part in Fill the Freezer. Your support is making a meaningful difference for our community!