City of Dublin

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOOD FOR 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 recognize that many of our friends and neighbors are struggling to put and neighbors are struggling to put food on their tables. Make no mistake, food on their tables. Make no mistake, food insecurity is a real issue in and food insecurity is a real issue in and immediately around our city. immediately around our city. The Dublin Food Pantry (DFP) The Dublin Food Pantry (DFP) continues to see an increase in continues to see an increase in demand. In 2021, the pantry served an demand. In 2021, the pantry served an average of 1,731 individuals each month. Those numbers 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 a 125% increase in two years, and the trend is not reversing. In the increase in two years, and the trend is not reversing. In the rst quarter of 2022, the averages have trended above 2,000 rst quarter of 2022, the averages have trended above 2,000 individuals served each month. Certainly, the COVID-19 individuals served each month. Certainly, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the increase 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 both episodic users, such as someone experiencing job loss 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 senior citizens on a limited income. DFP has been connecting citizens on a limited income. DFP has been connecting neighbors with nutritious food, essentials and resources for 46 neighbors with nutritious food, essentials and resources for 46 years, all with the support of the Dublin community and years, all with the support of the Dublin community and through partnerships with the City of Dublin, Dublin City through partnerships with the City of Dublin, Dublin City Schools, local faith organizations and area retailers. Schools, local faith organizations and area retailers. If you are among those who need assistance, know that DFP is If you are among those who need assistance, know that DFP is there to provide essential needs quickly, e ciently and there to provide essential needs quickly, e ciently and respectfully. On the other hand, if you nd yourself with the respectfully. On the other hand, if you nd yourself with the ability to donate money, goods or time, your contributions will ability to donate money, goods or time, your contributions will be welcomed and appreciated. Whether you need help or be welcomed and appreciated. Whether you need help or would like to o er help, you can nd more information at would like to o er help, you can nd more information at dublinfoodpantry.org. dublinfoodpantry.org. This trend extends beyond Dublin boundaries. Regionally, the This trend extends beyond Dublin boundaries. Regionally, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) is also experiencing an Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) is also experiencing an increase in demand. The collective provides more than increase in demand. The collective provides more than 170,000 meals each day for hungry people in 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 to see more people coming through its doors because that means people are getting the healthy doors because that means people are getting the healthy food they need for themselves and their loved ones. By food they need for themselves and their loved ones. By turning to our local food providers, those 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 money on food and spend it on other essentials such as housing and utilities. essentials such as housing and utilities. In 2021, MOFC launched the Rooted in You campaign to In 2021, MOFC launched the Rooted in You campaign to reimagine ending hunger. This e ort is aimed at tearing reimagine ending hunger. This e ort is aimed at tearing down barriers, expanding options and meeting customers down barriers, expanding options and meeting customers where they are. It encompasses the Mid-Ohio Farm, where they are. It encompasses the Mid-Ohio Farm, Mid-Ohio Kitchen and Mid-Ohio Markets, all designed to Mid-Ohio Kitchen and Mid-Ohio Markets, all designed to alleviate hunger and stigma. 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 City of Dublin strives to provide the best quality of life and environment for our residents and businesses to 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 the threat of hunger. Hunger-free communities lead to healthier families, 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 and share. As the needs in our community rise, consider what you can do to be part of the solution, rise, consider what you can do to be part of the solution, whether that is taking a step toward food security for whether that is taking a step toward food security for yourself or helping end hunger for others. yourself or helping end hunger for others. Sincerely, Sincerely,

Dana McDaniel, City Manager Dana McDaniel, City Manager

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