September 2, 2011   

Tell Us Your Story: Operation Feed 2011

Each year, Mid-Ohio Foodbank's community-wide food and funds drive is
made possible through the involvement of hundreds of local businesses,
schools, government agencies and civic organizations who rally their
members to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.
Here's a bit about why they choose to support Operation Feed...

(Click below to hear their story.) 

Organizations Rally to Score Big for Operation Feed!

2011 was an extraordinary year for Operation Feed! Campaigns--ranging from companies large and small to media-sponsored initiatives and grassroots community events--navigated some tough terrain to score many goals this season, proving once again that Mid-Ohio Foodbank's community drive is truly a "team" effort. Each group found a unique way to raise food and funds, showing that when everyone does a little, the Foodbank can do a lot! 

This campaign season saw a record 232 organizations participating in the community-wide drive with a total of 4,250,000 meals raised toward alleviating hunger in central and eastern Ohio. 

The season came to a close on August 25th, with a victory party at The Ohio Union to celebrate the successes of this year's campaign and recognize all those who helped make Operation Feed a success! To learn more about this year's effort, view our finale program and photos from the finale event.

Eighteen Outstanding Campaign Champions were recognized:

• Bob Evans Farms, Inc. Most Meals Per Capita (250 - 999 Employees)
• Columbus FLEA. Community Partner Award
• Commerce National Bank. Award of Excellence *
• Community Shelter Board. Award of Excellence *
• EXPRESS. Largest Percentage Increase (250 - 999 Employees)
• Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Largest Percentage Increase (1 - 249 Employees), Award of Excellence *
• Germain Lexus of Dublin. Outstanding New Campaign **
• KD Yoder & Associates. Most Meals Per Capita (1 - 249 Employees), Award of Excellence *
• Nationwide. Most Meals Per Capita (1000+ Employees), Award of Excellence *
• Nationwide Children's Hospital. Director's Choice Award
• Mount Carmel Health System. Largest Percentage Increase (1000+ Employees)
• Park National Bank-Columbus & Worthington. Award of Excellence *
• The Ohio Hospital Association. Award of Excellence *
• The Ohio State University. Outstanding Virtual Food Drive
• State Auto Insurance Companies. Award of Excellence *
• Time Warner Cable. Director's Choice Award
• United Commercial Travelers.Rally To Tally Photo Contest Winner
• WBNS-10TV Dedicates the Day to Hunger. Award of Excellence *

 To learn more about the accomplishments of these organizations and see those campaigns contributing at the Benchmark*** level, visit www.midohiofoodbank.org/act/operation-feed/2011.

* Award of Excellence winners meet two of three criteria: 50 meals per capita, a 40 percent increase, a 25,000 meal increase.

** Outstanding New Campaign is selected based on one or more of the following: meals per capita, leadership involvement, creative strategy.

*** Benchmark level contributors have successfully reached goals suggested by program staff, based on average meals raised per capita.

Featured Event: Dinner On A Dime: Local Foods Edition

Operation YP presents a cooking demonstration event at
North Market's Dispatch Kitchen in partnership with Local Matters. 

Thursday, September 22   

Celebrate Hunger Action Month and gear up for Local Foods Week with a fun & educational program featuring a cooking demonstration given by Local Matters Executive Director and chef, Michael Jones:

• pick up cooking tips and tricks,
• sample tasty local dishes,
• learn about the issue of hunger & local food systems,
• mingle with other Columbus foodies & professionals.

Networking, music, door prize drawings, and more! A suggested donation at the door benefits Mid-Ohio Foodbank.  

Special thanks to event sponsors: Preferred Living, The Greener Grocer, Local Matters, Yelp, and CYP Club.

For more information or to RESERVE YOUR TICKET, visit dinneronadime.eventbrite.com/.

Did You Know?

80 of the 232 groups contributing to the 2011 Operation Feed
Campaign were new organizations, representing an 18% increase
over the number participating in the previous year's drive.

 When everyone does a little, the Foodbank can do a lot!