Fill the Freezer Delivers 48,232 Pounds to Pantries
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio's program expanded to a record 12 counties this year, linking livestock sales to food pantry donations.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Fill the Freezer delivered 48,232 pounds of locally raised protein to food pantries this summer across Appalachian Ohio. The program operated in 12 counties this year, a record for the campaign.
Why it matters
The program channels livestock sales into food pantry supplies, addressing hunger in a 32-county region of Ohio. Its expansion to more counties and a multi-year grant indicate growing local participation.
Fill the Freezer delivered 48,232 pounds of protein this summer across 12 counties, a record. A Columbia Promise Fund grant provides $100,000 over two years, though the report does not detail how the funds will be allocated across counties.
The players
Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
A 501(c)(3) public charity serving 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio and working with 15 affiliate foundation partners.
Columbia Promise Fund
A funder that provided a $100,000 grant over two years to support the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio's work.
The details
At county fair livestock sales, buyers can donate their animal purchases to fill local food pantry freezers, and other donors give money to cover meat processing costs. The Perry County campaign, piloted in 2021 by the Community Foundation for Perry County, yielded 100 hogs and 12,175 pounds of sausage.
Timeline
2021: Community Foundation for Perry County pilots Fill the Freezer.
Summer 2026: Program delivers 48,232 pounds of protein to food pantries.
Over the next two years: Columbia Promise Fund grant period supports expansion.
Market Landscape
The 2021 Perry County pilot by the Community Foundation for Perry County launched the model that has since grown to 12 counties. The expansion shows the pilot's livestock-to-pantry approach scaling across Appalachian Ohio's agricultural communities.
Residents who buy livestock at county fairs can donate their animals to local food pantries. Donors can also give money to cover processing costs so the donated meat reaches families.
The takeaway
Donating livestock or processing funds can directly stock local food pantries with protein. The program shows how county fair sales can translate into year-round food assistance for Ohio families.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage to see how similar community programs address hunger across the state.
More information
Learn how to support the effort on the Fill the Freezer campaign information and how to support page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Athens Messenger.
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