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Food drive donors showing generosity

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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer 11:53 PM Saturday, November 28, 2009

HAMILTON — Two weeks into the JournalNews Food Relief campaign, the fund has received more than half of the total donations garnered last year, according to Shared Harvest Foodbank officials.

The food drive has raised $13,781 since Nov. 15, nearly 62 percent of the more than $20,000 raised during the 2008 campaign and more than the $7,185 it had received at this time last year.

Executive Director Tina Osso said more people are giving and more are digging deeper.

“What it says to me is that this community is amazing and that when times are at their worst people are stepping up to the plate and realizing this affects us all and it’s our responsibility to help each other,” Osso said.

Shared Harvest is the primary food supplier for a network of 120 agencies in Butler, Warren, Preble, Darke and Miami counties, which are projected to serve 129,000 families this year, up 17 percent from last year when 110,030 were served.

The JN’s Food Relief drive will help feed 6,100 families in Butler County alone. The campaign ends Jan. 3. All donations go directly to Shared Harvest and every $1 donated results in $8 worth of food for the needy.

So far, the campaign has received 307 gifts, averaging $44.89. Some donors have included notes.

“Wish this could be more, but I am on a fixed income,” James C. Dodge wrote. Kerry E. Gray said: “To Whom It May Concern: Please accept this donation to your worthy cause. I hope it can, along with other donations, make some families’ lives a little easier. Good luck to you.”

Another donor recalled being unemployed and receiving food from a food bank, but now is able to help others in need. “It is one of the blessings I counted on this Thanksgiving day. Thank you all.”