Mid-Ohio Foodbank adds to its fleet thanks to generous donors

For The Madison Press

GROVE CITY — With harvest season fast approaching, four new refrigerated Mid-Ohio Foodbank trucks are hitting the road across 20 Ohio counties, thanks to the inspiration of two donors, John “Buck” and Jodi Patton.

Standing with the new trucks for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank are from left: Jodi Patton, one of the donors, and Matt Habash, president and CEO of Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

With four new trucks in operation, Mid-Ohio Foodbank hopes to distribute more than 15 million pounds of fresh produce in 2012.

In October 2011, the Patton’s presented the Foodbank with a challenge to raise $380,000 for investment in its transportation fleet. Once that amount was raised, the Patton’s would match the public’s contribution dollar for dollar, resulting in enough funds for four refrigerated trucks and a year of operating capital for each.

More than 150 donors, from across the state and beyond, helped Mid-Ohio Foodbank reach the goal and secure the generous match.

“Providing basic needs, such as nourishing food, in today’s uncertain and fragile economy is more important than ever before,” said Buck and Jodi Patton. “We feel blessed to have the opportunity to share our resources and improve the lives of many.”

The trucks will have a great impact on Madison County, where Mid-Ohio Foodbank provided 333,371 pounds of produce in 2011, part of the pantry network’s response to 74,193 requests for help last year alone.

“Fresh produce is where the surplus is when it comes to food in our country,” said Matt Habash, Mid-Ohio Foodbank president and CEO, and leader of a national produce effort with Feeding America. “It now makes up more than one-third of our inventory. This amazing donation greatly supports our field to fork efforts by helping to provide more tasty, nutritious food to our hungry neighbors.”