Five decades of hope: How The Foodbank is meeting today’s challenges

Valley Food Relief campaign directly supports The Foodbank’s wholesale food purchase program.
Nearly 36,000 local children report food insecurity in Montgomery, Greene, and Preble counties of Ohio. The Foodbank works with a network of 122 nonprofit partner agencies to ensure all residents have the food they need to live active, healthy lives. THE FOODBANKJ/CONTRIBUTED

Nearly 36,000 local children report food insecurity in Montgomery, Greene, and Preble counties of Ohio. The Foodbank works with a network of 122 nonprofit partner agencies to ensure all residents have the food they need to live active, healthy lives. THE FOODBANKJ/CONTRIBUTED
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By The Foodbank
Updated 9 hours ago
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In 2026, The Foodbank will celebrate 50 years of service to our community. That’s five decades of serving hope and healthy food to Miami Valley residents who don’t have the financial means to buy food.

Last year, in partnership with a network of 122 nonprofit partner agencies across Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties, The Foodbank distributed more than 17.5 million pounds of food to individuals, families, children and seniors across our community — each pound distributed by a dedicated group that is on a mission to “Eliminate hunger and its root causes.”

The Foodbank volunteers distribute fruit to those in need. THE FOODBANK/CONTRIBUTED

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This year, their network is facing numerous challenges. Cuts to SNAP benefits, furloughed government employees, and the high cost of food have all led to increased rates of food insecurity in the community. Earlier this year, the loss of federal and state funded commodity foods, mostly local produce grown by regional farmers, and changes to the availability of retail rescued food, has reduced their food supply.

Understanding these challenges, the community has been quick to respond. Thanks to the generous support of local donors and Montgomery County, The Foodbank purchased seven semis of shelf stable emergency and holiday food boxes that are being distributed this fall and early winter through 122 partner agencies.

To ensure families have access to fresh produce, The Foodbank has produced over 30,000 pounds of fresh produce from their urban garden, which includes grow beds, a greenhouse for seed starting, hydroponic greenhouse for growing lettuce year-round, and an in-vessel composting facility. THE FOODBANK/CONTRIBUTED

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Arrangements for additional food purchases to supplement available food throughout the holiday season are planned, and their wholesale food purchase budget has increased to $1 million this fiscal year to help offset food losses while still serving the thousands of residents seeking emergency food support — many for the first time ever this season.

The annual Valley Food Relief campaign directly supports The Foodbank’s wholesale food purchase program. One-hundred percent of donations raised through Valley Food Relief are used each year to solely purchase food items to supplement donated food product that is distributed through their hunger relief network.

Your support makes all the difference to a family in need, providing hope and food this holiday season and beyond.

A donation today to Valley Food Relief will put dinner on the table tomorrow for the 114,000 local individuals who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. With your support, their emergency hunger relief network can continue to do what it does best—feed those in need.

Hope is served here. Donate today to Valley Food Relief and put food on the table tomorrow.

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The Foodbank