In the almost 220 years since Ohio County was established, it has gone through some major changes. From 1798 until 1829, the county’s northern border went all the way up to the Ohio River, for which the county was named.1 In the 1970’s, the local coal mines produced much of the nation’s coal supply.1 There have undoubtedly been many other changes to Hartford, Beaver Dam, and the surrounding area since the late 1700’s, but one thing continues to remain the same, many local residents aren’t getting the nutrition they need.
Ohio County is one of the 42 counties served by our organization. According to a Feeding America study, approximately 1 in 7 people living in Ohio County (14.8%) are food-insecure. This means while they might not be going completely without food, they don’t always know when or where food will come from. To help alleviate this uncertainty, there are several programs in Beaver Dam and other parts of the county that provide a reliable, consistent source of food for these individuals and their families.
We currently have 3 partner agencies within the county:
Ohio County Food Pantry
Liberty Lighthouse Church of God
Christ Among Us Food Pantry
Through these partnerships, we are not only able to help individuals and families fill their pantries and tables with various food items, but also have programs which specifically support those in the community who are more vulnerable.
Each month we provide a box of food to around 200 seniors through the CSFP Program. This government commodities program helps support those who are 60 and older and struggle to meet all of their own needs, usually because of a limited income. In addition, the BackPack Program provides weekend food to more than 165 students, who often rely on the school meals they receive during the week as a main source of nourishment.
We are incredibly grateful for our partner agencies in Ohio County and all that they are doing to fight hunger in their community. But there is still a lot to be done. Together, we can work to fight hunger and ensure that everyone has access to the food they need all year long.
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