An Ohio County delegation including firefighters and fire chiefs traveled to Frankfort during the annual Kentucky Food Bank Rally. Pictured L-to-R: State Representative Tommy Thompson, Chris Baird, Becky Baird, Patti Boone, Charlotte Whittaker, David Himes, Christ Shephard, Jason Geary and Charlie Shield.[/caption]
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Firefighters joined the fight against hunger in Ohio County with their Judge Executive, local food bank and AARP volunteers. The month long effort is helping to restock the shelves of the volunteer driven, Ohio County Food Pantry. All nine of Ohio County volunteer fire departments are helping and it’s a first of its kind effort.
Charlotte Whittaker organized the effort and led an Ohio County delegation of volunteers and fire chiefs to the Annual Kentucky Food Bank Association Rally in the state Capitol. Following the rally, the group met with state lawmakers to promote the food drive and raise awareness of hunger. Fire Chief Chris Shepard and Food Pantry volunteer Patti Boone gave a live radio interview from the Capitol on WXMZ 99.9 FM. The volunteers received formal recognition from state Senator C.B. Embry and Representative Tommy Thompson with resolutions honoring the work of the Ohio County Food Pantry.
Beaver Dam Fire Chief Chris Shepard says they're doing their part to reduce the number of hungry families.
In a local news report, Shepard said, "When you join, especially a volunteer fire department, you want to help the community, give back to the community, and this is just another way to give back to the community," says Shepard.
The Ohio County Food Pantry serves between 400 and 500 families every month (estimated 900 to 1400 people). More than 700,000 Kentuckians, 1 in 6, don’t always know where their next meal will come from.
To help the Ohio County Food Pantry stock its shelves, drop off canned goods at your local volunteer fire station from now until March 8.
Learn more on AARP and the AARP Foundation’s fight to end hunger here, http://endseniorhunger.aarp.org