ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum County Commissioners recognized the efforts of area food bank volunteers today as they proclaimed September as Hunger Action Awareness month.
Muskingum County Hunger Network Secretary Keely Warden and Vice President Jamie Trout described the extent that poverty runs in the county and explained the role that the Hunger Network is playing to help alleviate the issue.
“And we want to say a big thank you to our commissioners for lighting of the courthouse tonight in orange,” Warden said. “So when you see the orange courthouse tonight you will know that there is 1 out of every 4 families here in Muskingum County have food insufficiencies in their home. So we have 12 food pantries and 4 hot meal programs here with the Muskingum County Hunger Network and we’re fighting hunger in our community every day. So we just want to remind people that if you want to help, because that is very important, we all need volunteers.”
Warden noted that people in need of food assistance or looking to volunteer can call 211 for a list of community assistance programs or visit Freshtrak.com to find the nearest food pantry or hot meal program.
“So through the Hunger Network, we all work together and so far this year we have already served over 600,000 meals as a network,” Trout said. “And we still have four months to tally into that number. So our need has went up along with the cost of groceries has gone up and so every donation counts. We can’t stress that enough. We have donors that give $10 dollars and donors that give $100. All of your donations matter and as Keely talked about, voluntary hours are just as important as monetary donations and donations of food. So.”
Trout added that families faced with hunger should not feel embarrassed when visiting one of the local food pantries or hot meal providers because the other visitors are understanding and the volunteers are there to serve.
