OFB’s Harvest for Hunger feeds those who feed others

The Holmes County Farm Bureau, Ohio Farm Bureau and plenty of hungry supporters turned out in force on Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 5-8 p.m. at Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery to raise funds for Harvest for Hunger, an organization that helps provide valuable funding for four area food banks.

Visitors had plenty of grub including cheeseburgers, hot dogs, noodles, baked beans and ice cream, and the farm’s petting zoo drew plenty of admiration from not only the children, but also adults.

Every dollar raised during the event, which included an auction, went to fund the efforts of Holmes County’s four food pantries: the Love Center Food Pantry in Millersburg, Millersburg Church of God Food Pantry, Glenmont Food Pantry and the Lakeville Food Pantry.

The funds collected were distributed to each entity based on the number of days of the week they are open and available to customers, and all of them are grateful for the commitment and contributions of both the community and the Farm Bureau.

“This community means everything to us and to those we serve, and it has always been very generous in giving,” said Edgar Raber, executive director at the Love Center Food Pantry in Millersburg. “We are so honored to partner with the Farm Bureau and other partners like them because that is how we all can continue to do what we do in serving our communities.”

Whether it is the graciousness of giving financially, as was the case on this evening, or by people giving of their time in volunteering at each of the food pantries, Holmes County continues to step up and feed the hungry.

“We’ve been very blessed through the faithfulness of people in this county over the years, and we’ve built some incredible volunteers who are like family to us. Through the good and the bad, it’s always been meaningful to serve as we do life together.”

Kayla Jones, organization director with the Ohio Farm Bureau serving Holmes, Coshocton, Knox and Licking counties, said this event continues to be one of her favorites because it expresses the caring attitude of the local Farm Bureau, farming community and community at large when it comes to helping meet the needs of others.

“This is our eighth year for Harvest for Hunger, and we have a huge banner of supporters from this community,” Jones said. “Holmes County supports like no other county in Ohio. It’s amazing to experience that sense of care and giving, and to see all of the money raised tonight going to food pantries is incredible.”

She said the Holmes County Farm Bureau continues to do great work in connecting a variety of organizations in the farming community.

As for the volunteers, who came from the county Farm Bureau board, Nationwide Insurance partners from Hummel Insurance and Trent Insurance Group, and West Holmes FFA students, she said it was admirable to see them stepping up and delivering.

“That mix of volunteers and people so willing to step in and serve others is what makes this county so special,” Jones said.

Dr. Eric Shaver, president of the Holmes County Farm Bureau, shared with visitors during his time at the microphone, talking about the benefits of the Farm Bureau and the many various outreach ministries it is involved with throughout the year.

He said the grassroots organization is an advocacy for agriculture and partners with various groups, taking plenty of concerns and issues to the state’s legislators in an effort to improve the agricultural community in any way it can.

Shaver said its partners include Holmes County Cooperative, Holmes Soil & Water Conservation District, East and West Holmes Local School Districts, Holmes County Emergency Management, Holmes County Job & Family Services, the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau and more.

“We’ve done a number of events with those groups, and we continue to invest in them as partners,” Shaver said. “We have 517 Farm Bureau members in Holmes County, with 10 board members, and we work hard to remain vital in the agricultural community with the vast area of interests we address.”

He said those interests include humane livestock care, education, clean water, bicycle safety on area roadways, working with power companies, rural broadband and more.

“We work with a variety of issues that impact our rural agricultural community,” Shaver said.

He said area farmers also play a big role in providing produce and other goods to area food banks, so the connection between the agricultural community and the food banks continues to be one that does aid in feeding many including a recent delivery of 2,300 pounds of cucumbers to the Love Center.

“That giving spirit is a mindset in the community,” Shaver said. “It’s amazing to see and experience.”

He said while the agricultural community continues to change and evolve, agriculture is sure to remain a vital part of the Holmes County fabric.

Jones said each of her four counties is unique and important.

“Farming may look different and feel different in many ways, but agriculture still drives our area and our world,” Jones said.