OhioHealth Continues Its Support for the Dublin Food Pantry
OhioHealth is proud to continue its support for the Dublin Food Pantry and their efforts to serve the Dublin community. The partnership, through the Pantry’s ‘Everyone Eats Here’ campaign, has expanded the Pantry’s ability to serve even more families experiencing food insecurity.
OhioHealth has been a longstanding supporter of the Dublin Food Pantry. The contributions include active participation on the Pantry's board, sponsorship of the annual Bounty at Bridge Park event, and a commitment to their campaign to support new space to better serve the Dublin community.
“When they shared their interest in moving into larger space and more accessible space to better serve the needs of the community, we wanted to get involved,” Debbie Donahey, OhioHealth director of community relations said, “We supported their campaign with a $50,000 commitment, and we were proud to celebrate the opening of their new space with them in 2023.”
“OhioHealth has been a supportive partner to the Dublin Food Pantry for many years,” Jim Wilson, Dublin Food Pantry operation director, said, “A connected community is a nourished community, and we're grateful to live in a community that feeds Dublin together. Thanks to the generosity of individuals, families, foundations, corporations, and businesses, in 2023, the Pantry supported 10,650 individuals through our CHOICE Pantry, offering over 624,000 meals in a grocery-store-like setting.”
According to Wilson, since 2019, the Pantry has seen a 232% increase in unique households served, and in 2023, served 1,767 new families, all utilizing pantry services for the first time. This is a 72% increase from 2022 alone.
“The support of our community means so much, and it's gifts like the one from OhioHealth that make our work possible,” Wilson said.
In addition to the gift donation, OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital provided the Pantry with shelves that were no longer needed within the healthcare system.
“At OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital, our commitment to serving our patients, their families and community isn’t limited to just within the walls of the hospital, our services and passion for Dublin stretches far outside the building,” Cherie Smith, PhD, MBA, RN, president of OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital and OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital said, “We are honored to work alongside other incredible organizations who align with our goals and values.”
“As part of our ongoing support for the Dublin Food Pantry, we engage with our community partners, including having one of our leaders, Dr. Keeli Stith, Senior Director of Operations at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital, serve on their board,” Donahey said. “To support our ongoing sustainability initiatives, when there are items that cannot be used within our hospitals but can be donated, we turn to our non-profit partners, like the Dublin Food Pantry.”
The most recent donation of shelving, which still has a useful life for the food pantry, allows the food pantry to focus their available funding on their core mission of food.
“The increased shelving donated by OhioHealth has allowed us to expand our CHOICE Pantry by being able to put out and store more fresh produce and dry goods for families visiting the pantry,” Wilson said, “Where our neighbors in need can choose the produce and non-perishable food items best fit for their family in a grocery store-like setting.”
Since moving into the new, larger, and more accessible CHOICE Pantry in October 2023, the Pantry has experienced a significant increase in the number of neighbors served, with many new families.
“Our commitment is to remove barriers to service and to provide a welcoming, inclusive, and healthy pantry environment for all,” Wilson said, “Conveniently located near a bus line, our new Pantry has increased its weekly hours of operation by over 30% to ensure that working families can receive the support they need. Additionally, our Fresh Produce area allows families to access fresh produce to supplement their full pantry shop throughout the month.”
Since opening the new facility, the Pantry has been able to increase food pick-ups from the Mid-Ohio Food collective, fresh produce pick-up and distribution.
“As a board member, I am immensely proud of the community members in Dublin,” Keeli Stith, MSN, RN, PHC-NP, NEA-BC, senior director of operations at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital said, “Their unwavering dedication to addressing the needs of diverse households and ensuring that families and individuals receive nutritious meals daily exemplifies their compassion and commitment to the welfare of society. OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital remains a cornerstone of trust, facilitating effective collaborations between non-profit organizations for the greater good of the community.”
