OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital Teams up With West Ohio Food Bank

Photos Courtesy: OhioHealth

OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital has teamed up with the West Ohio Food Bank to make sure residents living across Hardin County have access to healthy and fresh food. 

On January 23rd, the two organizations held the first of a monthly food distribution event. It was held at Home Run Memorial Park in Kenton from noon to 2 p.m. In that short window of time, 14,000 pounds of food and laundry items were distributed to 292 neighbors and families. In total, 779 individuals received items. 

Joy Bischoff, President of Hardin Memorial Hospital, said this serves as an example of empathy in action. 

“Our recent distribution event not only filled bellies but also ignited a flame of awareness,” Bischoff said. “Join us in the fight against food insecurity, as every act of kindness creates ripples of hope.” 

It’s a collaborative effort that the West Ohio Food Bank is thankful for. 

“We had been looking to return to Kenton for quite some time and we are thankful for OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital for collaborating the event and providing some amazing volunteers,” said Steven Rakes, West Ohio Food Bank’s Community Impact Coordinator. 

The food distribution is happening on the 4th Tuesday of every month weather or holiday permitting. 

“Data from Feeding America states that Hardin County’s food insecurity rate is 14 percent and that’s higher than the Ohio average of 11.8%,” said Bischoff. “This reflects the trend that food insecurity is more of an issue in rural and urban areas. The good news is that we can help together by volunteering and donating.” 

This event isn’t the only way OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital is supporting the West Ohio Food Bank. 

At the beginning of the year, volunteers from OhioHealth helped pack food boxes to be distributed to seniors in need. They met at Kenton High School on January 12th where students participated as well. Together they packed a total of 375 boxes.