FOOD FOOD FOR FOR THOUGHT THOUGHT As we explore various food-related As we explore various food-related topics and features in this issue of topics and features in this issue of Dublin Life, it is appropriate to pause Dublin Life, it is appropriate to pause and recognize that many of our friends and neighbors recognize that many of our and are struggling to friends put and neighbors are struggling put food on their tables. Make no to mistake, food on their tables. Make no mistake, food insecurity is a real issue in and food insecurity is a real immediately around ourissue city. in and immediately around our city. The Dublin Food Pantry (DFP) The DublintoFood Pantry (DFP)in continues see an increase continues to see an increase demand. In 2021, the pantry in served an demand.ofIn1,731 2021,individuals the pantry each served an Those numbers average month. average of 1,731 individuals each month. Those numbers were up from 1,052 in 2020 and 769 in 2019. That’s a 125% were up from 1,052 in 2020 and 769 in 2019. That’s 125% increase in two years, and the trend is not reversing.a In the increase in two years, and the trend is not reversing. In the first quarter of 2022, the averages have trended above 2,000 first quarter of 2022, the averages have trended above 2,000 individuals served each month. Certainly, the COVID-19 individualshas served each month. COVID-19 pandemic contributed to theCertainly, increasethe in needs in our pandemic has contributed to the increase in needs in our community, but that is only part of the story. community, but that is only part of the story. DFP’s clients include both episodic users, such as someone DFP’s clients include episodic users, such as someone experiencing job lossboth or a health issue, and chronic users experiencing job loss or a health issue, and chronic users whose circumstances are unlikely to change, including senior whose circumstances are unlikely to change, including citizens on a limited income. DFP has been connecting senior citizens onwith a limited income. DFP has beenand connecting neighbors nutritious food, essentials resources for 46 neighbors with nutritious food, essentials and resources years, all with the support of the Dublin community and for 46 years, all with the support of the Dublin community through partnerships with the City of Dublin, Dublinand City through partnerships with the City of area Dublin, Dublin City Schools, local faith organizations and retailers. Schools, local faith organizations and area retailers. If you are among those who need assistance, know that DFP is If you to areprovide amongessential those who needquickly, assistance, know and that DFP is there needs efficiently there to provide essential needs quickly, efficiently and respectfully. On the other hand, if you find yourself with the respectfully. On the othergoods hand, or if you find yourself with thewill ability to donate money, time, your contributions ability to donate money, goods or time, your contributions be welcomed and appreciated. Whether you need help or will be welcomed and appreciated. you need help at or would like to offer help, you canWhether find more information would like to offer help, you can find more information at dublinfoodpantry.org. dublinfoodpantry.org. This trend extends beyond Dublin boundaries. Regionally, the This trendFood extends beyond(MOFC) Dublin isboundaries. Regionally, Mid-Ohio Collective also experiencing an the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) is also experiencing an
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increase in demand. The collective provides more than increase meals in demand. Thefor collective than 170,000 each day hungryprovides people inmore central and 170,000 meals each day for hungry people in central and eastern Ohio. While the rising demand is worrisome, MOFC eastern Ohio. While the rising demand is worrisome, MOFC is encouraged to see more people coming through its is encouraged seemeans more people people are coming through its doors because to that getting the healthy doors because that means people are getting the healthy food they need for themselves and their loved ones. By food they for themselves and their ones. By turning toneed our local food providers, thoseloved with limited turning to our local food providers, those with limited budgets can save money on food and spend it on other budgets can save food and spend it on other essentials such as money housingon and utilities. essentials such as housing and utilities. In 2021, MOFC launched the Rooted in You campaign to In 2021, MOFC launched Rooted campaign to reimagine ending hunger.the This effort in is You aimed at tearing reimagine ending hunger. This effort is aimed at tearing down barriers, expanding options and meeting customers down options meeting customers wherebarriers, they are.expanding It encompasses theand Mid-Ohio Farm, where they are. It encompasses the Mid-Ohio Farm, Mid-Ohio Kitchen and Mid-Ohio Markets, all designed to Mid-Ohio Kitchenand andstigma. Mid-Ohio Markets, all designed to alleviate hunger More information is available alleviate hunger and stigma. More information is available at rootedinyou.org. at rootedinyou.org. The City of Dublin strives to provide the best quality of life The of Dublinfor strives to provideand thebusinesses best quality life and City environment our residents toof thrive. and environment for our residents and businesses to thrive. And people simply cannot thrive under the threat of And people simply cannot thrive under thehealthier threat offamilies, hunger. Hunger-free communities lead to hunger. Hunger-free communities lead to healthier families, more successful students and connected neighborhoods more successful students and connected neighborhoods that learn, grow and share. As the needs in our community that learn, grow andyou share. needs rise, consider what can As dothe to be partin ofour thecommunity solution, rise, consider what you can do to be part of the solution, whether that is taking a step toward food security for whetheror that is taking step toward food security for yourself helping enda hunger for others. yourself or helping end hunger for others. Sincerely, Sincerely,
Dana McDaniel, City Manager Dana McDaniel, City Manager
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