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OFBF employees have become active in the central Ohio community through their volunteer efforts. OFBF established a committee of staff members called Club Fed, which is charged with organizing volunteer opportunities.

"The real push began last year, with our participation in Make a Difference Day," said Gayle Lewis, chair of the committee. Employees partnered with Children's Hunger Alliance at Milo Grogan Boys and Girls Club and at Central Community House. Children in the after-school program measured and mixed ingredients to bake a loaf of bread. Volunteers were able to talk about the history of wheat and flour while they helped the children. Another project with Ohio Hunger Task Force involved employees donating to the Lunch Money for a Day program.

Employees are participating in a Red Cross Blood Donor program in conjunction with Nationwide's Blood Center. An employee may donate blood every eight weeks or six times a year. Also, employees were offered CPR and First Aid training with the Red Cross. Club Fed plans to purchase first aid kits for the office.

OFBF is in a two-year agreement with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio to volunteer in maintaining the cleanliness of a two-mile stretch of road in the Adopt-a-Roadway program. Four cleanings are completed each year.

Another ongoing program is with Faith Mission, a secure, Christian-based environment for homeless men and women. Employees serve lunch on the third Wednesday of each month. "This is probably the event most employees participate in," Lewis said. In addition, Club Fed purchased two, 55-gallon trash cans with lids and wheels to donate to Faith Mission’s cafeteria. But employees filled the cans with toiletries and linens before they were delivered.

Last December, employees contributed 50 gifts to Franklin County Children's Services’ Holiday Wish Program, and in March employees donated more than 400 food items to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.

"We have other volunteer activities planned this year, including assisting with the ‘Land and Living’ display at the Ohio State Fair and a food donation drive at OFBF’s Leadership Conference in August," Lewis said. "At least 75 percent of the 60 employees in the state office have volunteered for one event or another. They have really stepped up to the challenge of giving back to the community."

Caption: OFBF employees donated more than 400 food items to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. Pictured l to r: Annie Cunningham, Dan Rapp, Lynn Snyder, Mike Fearon, Susie Taylor and Kathryn Benecke.

Caption:Pictured l to r: Dan Courtemanche, Jennifer Hungerford and Judy Roush help children in the after-school program at Central Community House measure the ingredients to bake a loaf of bread. This event was part of Make a Difference Day, where OFBF partnered with the Children’s Hunger Alliance.