OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital Continues to Support West Ohio Food Bank by Funding 18,000 Meals

OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital announced today a donation to the West Ohio Food Bank of $3,000 that will provide the equivalent of 18,000 meals. 

According to the West Ohio Food Bank, the funding comes at a critical time. 

“We are seeing an increase in the numbers of our hungry neighbors who must rely on the West Ohio Food Bank to put food on the table for themselves and their families,” said Tommie Harner, Chief Executive Officer of the West Ohio Food Bank. “These numbers are very similar to what we saw during the peak of Covid. Support like this from Ohio Health enables us to fulfill this need and truly live up to our mission of providing access to healthy, nutritious food to everyone.” 

This is the latest effort from OhioHealth to support the West Ohio Food Bank. Earlier this year, the hospital and food bank launched a routine food distribution event which serves hundreds of households monthly. 

“At OhioHealth we believe we are accountable to our communities for our stewardship and our partnership with the West Ohio Food Bank is one way we prove our commitment to that belief,” said Joy Bischoff, president of Hardin Memorial Hospital. “Working together, we can increase access to healthy food for our community here in Hardin County.” 

“This donation will make a difference to support both the health and nutrition of our communities and the greatest needs of our own patients,” said Deepi Bathini, MD, vice president of clinical affairs at Hardin Memorial Hospital. 

“As a nonprofit, we rely on donations from community partners to do our work so having the support of OhioHealth is vital to our mission,” Harner said. “We are just so thankful for not only the financial support from OhioHealth, but the partnership and the volunteers from OhioHealth who help us distribute food each month to our hungry neighbors in Hardin County.” 

This donation was part of a larger $40,000 donation from OhioHealth to local food programs across the state on behalf of OhioHealth doctors to celebrate Doctors’ Day which was on March 30th. 

The next Hardin Memorial Hospital and West Ohio Food Bank distribution is scheduled for Tuesday April 23rd at Home Run Memorial Park in Kenton from noon – 2 p.m.