MILLERSBURG, Ohio — On August 23, Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery will open its doors to Holmes County residents to raise money to benefit Holmes County food pantries. Sponsored by Holmes County Farm Bureau, the 2023 Harvest for Hunger has a new look this year.

In the past, the event featured a locally sourced meal hosted by an area farm family. This year, the farm bureau changed the format of the event. Instead of a meal prepared by a professional chef, they decided to make it a family-friendly event at Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery, Ltd, 

“Holmes County Farm Bureau came to us and asked how they could help us raise awareness,” said Edgar Raber, director of the Love Center. 

For Raber, partnering with Holmes County Farm Bureau on Harvest for Hunger to benefit the local food pantries makes a difference. The meal will raise funds which will be distributed to the four Holmes County food pantries. 

In 2022, the Love Center, one of Holmes County’s four food pantries, distributed 553,570 pounds of food, serving  647 families, according to Raber. In 2023, Raber predicts the county’s food pantries are on track to exceed last year’s food distribution as the need for food and monetary donation arises. But at the same time, Raber said many people who donated funds and volunteers in the past have become customers of the food pantries.  

The event is from 5 to 7 p.m. and features a meal of hamburgers, hotdogs, noodles, baked beans, and ice cream. This will be followed by a live auction featuring gift baskets and items unique to Holmes County. There will also be a silent auction. The petting zoo will also be open during the event. During the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the history of Harvest for Hunger and the work that is done by local food pantries during presentations by Dr. Eric Shaver, President, of Holmes County Farm Bureau, and Edgar Raber, Executive Director of the Love Center.

The cost for the evening is a freewill donation for Holmes County Food Pantries.