About Operation Feed For over 30 years, Operation Feed has raised food and funds that provide assistance to individuals and families in need. Each year, Mid-Ohio Foodbank joins forces with local businesses, schools, civic groups, and individuals to raise critically needed resources through a community-wide drive. Mid-Ohio Foodbank distributed over 40 million pounds of food last year, enabling its partner agencies across 20 counties to provide food for more than 76,000 meals each day. Operation Feed efforts help stock the shelves of these food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters throughout central and eastern Ohio.

Click on the RALLY TO TALLY! video above to see some of the unique ways organizations in our community work to ensure that no one goes hungry.

Who Needs Help?

Thousands of people in central and eastern Ohio are facing hunger. People who never thought this could happen to them are struggling just to get by. Many are faced with difficult situations, having to choose between paying for housing, utilities or medical expenses and putting food on the table.

• More than 248,000 individuals receive emergency food each year through Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
• 35% of food requests from pantries are for children.
• 14% are for senior citizens.
• Only 5% of clients are homeless; 1 in 5 is a homeowner.
• 18% of those seeking assistance have been in managerial or professional jobs.

To learn more about hunger in our community, read Operation Feed’s Need and Impact Fact Sheet.

The Challenge

Operation Feed raises food and funds to help ensure that no one in our community has to face hunger. This year's goal is raising 7.5 million meals The program begins in March and runs through June. Click here to learn about ways you or your organization can get involved.

Bring the Essentials

Make the biggest impact by providing a financial donation or bringing in these most-needed foods.

• Chili with beans
• Canned Fruit (in juice or light syrup
• Tuna
• Canned Vegetables
• Canned meat
• Soup with vegetables
• Peanut Butter

Please note: We are not able to accept perishable, homemade, home-canned and outdated food, bulk packages weighing more than five pounds or food in glass containers.

Campaign Leadership – Kitchen Cabinet

Representatives from a cross-section of local organizations provide guidance for the community-wide Operation Feed Campaign and reach out to companies, associations, networking groups, religious organizations, government agencies and educational institutions to facilitate growth of Operation Feed into new arenas.

Several working groups have also been established to focus on specific campaign tasks, including marketing, young professionals initiatives and recruiting & retention.

Community representatives currently serving on the Kitchen Cabinet include:

• Kevin Brady, American Electric Power
• Christi Cabungcal, Franklin University
• Stephanie Campolo, United Way of Central Ohio
• Jim Carlson, American Electric Power
• Thom Coffman, Clarmont
• Kenny Davis, Plumbers & Pipefitters L.U. 189
• Bill Diehl, Grove City Chamber of Commerce
• Debbie Donahey, OhioHealth
• Sarah Gepper, Franklin University
• Karen Gilbert, Ruscilli Construction Company
• Derek Grosso, CYP Club
• Sister Barbara Hahl, Mt. Carmel Health System
• Bob Himes, Central Ohio Restaurant Association
• Mark Huddy, Catholic Diocese
• Chester Jourdan, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
• Dave Kelch, Nationwide
• Larry Lanham, Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP
• Ashley Lester, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
• Mandy Medve, SC Search Consultants
• Gretchen Orr, Mt. Carmel Health System
• Leighann Poplaski, Tenth District Court of Appeals
• Bridget Purdue Riddell, Bricker & Eckler
• Mike Rankin, State of Ohio
• Katie Robinson, FIS
• Michael Robinson, Nationwide
• Amanda Schaub, Ernst & Young
• Margaret Standing, Bob Evans Farms
• Kathleen Trafford, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur
• Jennifer Van Zandt, Deloitte & Touche

Operation Feed Marketing Committee:

• Chris Alexis, Community Volunteer
• Colin Baumgartner, Mid-Ohio Foodbank
• Phil Birnie, Phil Birnie Digital Media
• Christina Christian, Yelp
• Rebekah Davis, Alliance Data
• Martina Desgranges, OhioHealth
• Dave Kelch, Nationwide
• Nicole Kotlan, Alliance Data
• Jonathon McKay, Market Group One
• Monica McKay, Market Group One
• Andrew Murphy, Mid-Ohio Foodbank
• Kelly Pettinger, Alliance Data
• Leighann Poplaski, Tenth District Court of Appeals
• Bonani Ray, ELEVATE
• Katie Riehl, Fahlgren Mortine
• Amber Riley, Tolles Career & Technical Center
• Katie Robinson, FIS
• Dan Roffino, Ideal Marketing Solutions
• Kristen Schmidt, Columbus Alive
• Tammy Spring, KD Yoder & Associates
• Amber Tran, OhioHealth
• Kelly Truitt, Alliance Data

"Operation YP" Young Professionals Group:

• Dustin Blake, Plymale & Dingus
• Stephanie Campolo, United Way of Central Ohio
• Mindy Davis, Columbus Regional Airport Authority
• Misty Jordan, Radio One
• Larry Lanham, Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP
• Ashley Lester, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
• Jamie Levine, OSU John Glenn School of Public Affairs
• Kristie Lewis, Express
• Saar Mahna, OSU South Asian Student Association
• Mandy Medve, SC Search Consultants
• Andrew Murphy, Mid-Ohio Foodbank
• Bridget Purdue Riddell, Bricker & Eckler
• Katie Riehl, Fahlgren Mortine
• Tina Sefcik, American Electric Power
• Beth Stallings, Capital Style
• Taryn Stanton, Social Security Administration
• Jennifer Van Zandt, Deloitte & Touche
• Katie Vockell, Nationwide
• Dana Ward, YWCA Columbus
• Christina Williams, The Ohio Hospital Association

Strategic Recruiting and Retention Committee:

• Jen Bowden, Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation
• Kevin Brady, American Electric Power
• Marty Homan, Franklin County Board of Commissioners
• Joan Lloyd, Mid-Ohio Foodbank
• Gretchen Orr, Mt. Carmel Health System
• Kim Phillips, OhioHealth
• Michael Robinson, Nationwide
• Margaret Standing, Bob Evans Farms
• Sarah Gepper, Franklin University