Partners across Mid-Ohio Foodbank’s network are reaping the benefits of a unique donation from Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Equipment from the hospital’s old kitchen was donated to help the Foodbank in its mission of feeding hungry people.
The donated equipment included refrigerators, café tables, office chairs, sinks, rolling racks, small kitchen wares and more. Several partner agencies will pick up items during a special open house at the Prologis warehouse (located at 3834 Zane Trace Drive, Columbus, OH 43228) on Friday, September 7. Media members are invited to attend from 2 – 3 p.m.
“We are incredibly grateful for this special gift; it is just one more example of the extraordinary commitment by Nationwide Children’s to those in need in our community,” said Mid-Ohio Foodbank President & CEO Matt Habash. “This donation will go a long way in building the capacity of our partner agency network, allowing them to expand their outreach to feed those who are struggling with hunger.”
Mid-Ohio Foodbank partner agencies taking advantage of the generous donation ranged from pantry operations like Lutheran Social Services and the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center to community partners like the Economic and Community Development Institute.
“As we discussed what to do with our former kitchen equipment when moving into our new hospital kitchen, I proposed donating it to Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Having volunteered there myself, I knew they'd be a terrific partner for us in getting the equipment to local non-profit agencies feeding those in need,” said Michael Tighe, Project Manager in Engineering Services at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
“Believing that good corporate citizens should respond to the needs of their community, our leadership was enthusiastic about the donation. Mid-Ohio Foodbank has been wonderful working with us on this project, which has been quite an undertaking considering the very large pieces of equipment involved. The equipment is capable of supporting the preparation of 2000 meals daily. Our community has been incredibly supportive of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and we are gratified to be able to help feed the homeless and hungry through this donation.” Tighe added.
The Foodbank’s partner agencies’ pick up is during Hunger Action Month, when food banks across the country work to raise awareness and take action to help the nearly 50 million Americans who are experiencing hunger.
About Mid-Ohio Foodbank
Mid-Ohio Foodbank provides food to hundreds of thousands of hungry Ohioans each year by partnering with 559 emergency feeding sites across central and eastern Ohio. For 32 years, the Foodbank has joined food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, senior centers, and after-school programs to make food accessible to those in our communities who are hungry. Over the past 12 months, the Foodbank has distributed more than 42 million pounds of food, enabling its partner charities to provide more than 101,743 meals every day. Mid-Ohio Foodbank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity. For more information or to donate, visit www.midohiofoodbank.org.