Food (In)security Focus Group

First UU’s Food (In)security Focus Group partners with several local, state, and national groups to provide food relief.

Partner Organizations:

Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center (CRC)

www.clintonvillecrc.org

CRC serves North Columbus residents in need. Volunteers are needed for various center activities.

Faith Mission Dinners

lssnetworkofhope.org/faithmission

During non-pandemic times, Faith Mission Dinners cooks and serves meals twice monthly for those in need at Faith Mission.

Feed & Read Ohio

http://feedandreadohio.org/

We operate on simple principles: every person deserves dignity, food to eat and the right to literacy. Jacques Angelino, First UU’s Food (In)security Focus Group Contact and founder of Feed & Read Ohio, has been driving down to rural appalachian Athens County every Monday to deliver food to fight hunger, and books to fight illiteracy for more than 15 years.

In 2017-2020, Feed & Read Ohio has rescued/purchased and delivered 116,000 lbs. of food to communities in Linden, Whitehall, Clintonville, and rural Athens county. Poverty affects many facets of life, including access to reliable transportation. That’s why we deliver the food directly to the communities that have the greatest need and the biggest barriers to access nutritious food. As of 2020, Feed & Read Ohio provides food and books for 85 families a week, donates every Monday to Feed my Sheep Food Pantry in Athens, OH, and hands out turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter every year.

In rural Ohio, especially, using a library can be extremely difficult due to lack of accessibility. We saw this problem and tackled it by bringing the books to the children least served. Every food box we deliver is accompanied by 2 children’s books with the purpose of fostering literacy at an early age. Feed & Read has delivered around 26,000 kids books during 2017-2020. Additionally, every August we distribute bookbags full of school supplies.

Consider making a donation to our organization as everything and anything goes a long way! During the pandemic, donations can be dropped off at Jacques’s house with no physical contact. All donations must be in good condition: food, clothing for adults, children, and winter weather, children’s books, toiletries, backpacks, feminine hygiene products, toys, games, baby diapers and gear, toilet paper, and gift cards. Volunteers are often needed to sort donations. Click on “Connect with Food (In)security Focus Group” below to donate or volunteer.

YWCA Family Center

www.ywcacolumbus.org

The YWCA Family Center provides transitional housing and needed services to families with the goal of enabling them to become self-sufficient. First UU provides a taco bar at the Center each 4th Friday.

Connect with the Food (In)security Focus Group