MILLERSBURG, Ohio – For Edgar Raber, the continued support from Holmes County Farm Bureau for Harvest for Hunger has made a difference in the lives of the county’s residents. Raber is director of the Love Center, one of four food pantries in the county who benefit from the annual event.

This year, Harvest for Hunger raised $18,000, bringing the total raised since the event began to just over $102,000.

“Your continued support has been a blessing to the food pantries,” Raber said. “Your support allows our food pantries to operate and serve residents in the county. All four pantries are part of area churches. Someone had the vision that they wanted to help. As we do this, our hearts reach out to find our neighbors in need.”

Last year, the Love Center alone served 781 families and distributed about 565,574 pounds of food. Raber estimates they will serve closer to 800 families this year and distribute slightly over a half million pounds of food. Raber added that the Akron Area Food Bank has been a blessing to the county’s food banks.

Raber said sometimes people are simply one disaster away from needing assistance. He said inflation has been the biggest factor impacting families in the county.

“Many families have been hit hard, they may be working two jobs, but they need some help to make it,” Raber said. “We have retirees on a fixed income, and they need help. We have people with medical issues. We want people to know where they can go to get help.”

Raber said the pantries allow two visits per month for their customers and three during the summer for families with children. But most of the customers only need assistance once a month, which is just enough to give them a boost when they need it.

Daniel Hershberger, of Hershberger Farm and Bakery, Ltd, said when the event began it was hosted by farms around the county featuring a catered meal, drawing about 60 to 70 people. He said when the board approached him last year about hosting the event, he saw it as a way to give the event a new flavor as a family friendly event reaching a broader audience. Hershberger added that Harvest for Hunger is another opportunity for families to enjoy a meal together, something that is not unique in Holmes County.

Harvest for Hunger was started by the county farm bureau as a way to draw attention to the problem of food insecurity in the county, according to Dr. Eric Shaver, president of Holmes County Farm Bureau. Shaver added that the Hershberger Farm and Bakery is a popular location in the county, and it is a fun place with the capacity to host the event.

“Food insecurity is a problem across the county,” Shaver said. “It is amazing how the community works together to build relationships. The generosity of the people in Holmes County is humbling.”