Fill the Freezer campaigns provide more than 33,000 pounds of protein

Food insecurity rates top 20% in parts of Appalachian Ohio, but communities in seven of the region’s counties stepped up this summer to help fight hunger. Through campaigns spearheaded by the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio’s affiliate foundation partners, more than 33,000 pounds of locally raised protein were donated to area food pantries.

The initiative began in 2021 when the Community Foundation for Perry County, one of FAO’s 15 affiliate partners, launched the first Fill the Freezer campaign. Buyers at the Perry County Fair’s livestock sale were invited to donate their hog purchases to local food pantries, while others contributed funds to cover meat processing costs. The goal: to fight hunger one pig and one pound at a time.

Over the past five years, the program has expanded to six additional counties served by FAO affiliates: Hocking County (2022); Vinton County—where the campaign operates under the name Fair to Family—and Gallia County (2023); Harrison County (2024); and Lawrence and Morgan counties (2025).

In 2025 alone, 225 animals were donated through these efforts, producing 33,011 pounds of fresh, local meat for families in need. Collectively, the campaigns have provided more than 92,000 pounds of meat since their inception. 

“These programs are truly win-win-win for our neighbors and our communities,” said Sherri Simons, FAO’s director of outreach. “They help ensure that no one in our communities goes hungry, support the tireless volunteers who operate our food pantries and empower 4-H and FFA youth to give back to their communities through their livestock projects.”

The Harrison County Community Foundation’s Fill the Freezer campaign yielded 21 hogs and 4,080 pounds of sausage.