TAFT COMMENDS STATE EMPLOYEES FOR COLLECTING MORE THAN 118,000 POUNDS OF HOLIDAY FOOD DONATIONS
COLUMBUS (December 4, 2003) - Governor Bob Taft today commended the efforts of state employees who, through the Holiday Food Basket Drive, collected the equivalent of more than 118,000 pounds of food for Ohioans in need this holiday season. The canned goods and monetary donations, which will continue to be collected throughout December, will be distributed to the less fortunate by the Mid-Ohio FoodBank in Columbus.
"This is a time when all Ohioans can gather together to share gifts by donating baskets of food to those less fortunate," said Taft. "I commend everyone here today for their commitment to the spirit of goodwill and generosity for others."
Volunteers from more than 45 state agencies, boards and commissions each created decorative holiday basket displays of the collected food in the Statehouse atrium. Local radio personalities Dino and Stacy of Sunny 95's morning show judged the displays and chose a "Best in Show" winning entry. Taft also honored the three agencies that collected the most food based upon the number of employees in the agency.
The Governor was joined by Lt. Governor Jennette Bradley, First Lady Hope Taft, and Columbus City Council President and Executive Director of the Mid-Ohio FoodBank Matt Habash, who also spoke. Holiday music was provided by The Plains Elementary School Choir of Athens County and the Whetstone High School Bell Choir of Franklin County.
The Mid-Ohio FoodBank is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to feeding hungry people by providing food and grocery products for distribution in central Ohio counties, and increasing awareness about hunger in the community. Since 1980, the Mid-Ohio FoodBank has provided more than 293 million pounds of food and other grocery products for hungry people in central Ohio. The Mid-Ohio FoodBank keeps food shelves stocked for a network of over 500 emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, senior dining centers, day care and after-school enrichment programs.
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Contact: Orest Holubec, Governor's Office (614) 644-0957.