Update and thank you from the Athens Country Food Pantry!
2020 Highlights:
- Created the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio with $350,000 from our Joe Burrow-inspired donations. Matched by the state, and with additional donations, this endowment is currently valued at over $1 million dollars. Fund proceeds will be available for payout in 2024.
- We moved to a larger location in the Athens County Job and Family Services building, consolidating our main distribution and storage. This move streamlined our operations and reduced our annual rent and utility expenses by 47%.
- While the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic shut down many national and local activities, the ACFP continued to serve local individuals and families by instituting creative COVID protocols. In 2020, the ACFP served over 4,500 families or twelve thousand individuals. (We serve some households once a month, and most households a few times during the year.)
- ACFP On The Road: We planned (and have now in 2021 executed) Saturday distributions twice a month alternating among Amesville, Stewart, Shade, Jacksonville, Albany, and New Marshfield.
Our increased funding has enabled us to provide focused support to these area food security initiatives:
- Athens City Schools food pantry
- Athens Country Children’s Services
- Nelsonville Food Cupboard
- Ohio University Cat’s Cupboard Food Pantry
- Alexander Schools food pantry
- Federal Hocking Schools food pantry
- Bishopville Food Pantry
How can faith communities continue to support the Athens County Food Panty?
- Pray for ACFP leadership, clients, volunteers and our elected leaders
- Encourage congregation members to serve as volunteers in a variety of positions
- Continue your generous financial support until food insecurity is eliminated from our region.
