K-4-K Drive will also aid the NNEMAP Food Pantry. (Courtesy/NNEMAP)

While US students have been busy collecting items before the Food Drive Bingo begins on November 1, many may not realize who receives these donations. 

This year any food items not selected for the 32 sponsored families will go to NNEMAP Food Pantry, the 50-year old social service agency that distributes food and other resources to local families. Besides distributing about 1 million pounds of food, this Linden-based nonprofit also supplies school backpacks, grooming kits, and Christmas toys.  Many of its Central Ohio clients work and 1/3 of the family members are under the age of 17. 

The CA community’s food contributions will help NNEMAP keep its food shelves stocked because inflation has made it more expensive for NNEMAP to purchase supplies from the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. According to the Ohio Association of Food Banks, food costs have skyrocketed by almost 150%. 

Thanks to everyone who is helping combat food insecurity. Keep the donations flowing until the Kids 4 Kids Food Drive concludes on November 3. 

“There are so many reasons to donate food to pantries now. The need is still growing. We are seeing more families than ever, and we run low on food almost every week . . . [We] really appreciate the participation of so many [CA] students to help our families. Thank you!!”

                                                                                                   Mr. Clark, Executive Director of NNEMAP