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OFBF employees were active throughout 2002 within central Ohio through their volunteer efforts. OFBF's Club Fed committee is comprised of staff members who organize the various volunteer opportunities.

"The real push began last year, with our participation in ‘Make a Difference Day,’" said Gayle Lewis, outgoing chair of the committee. Employees partnered with Ohio 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. OFBF volunteers were able to talk about the history of wheat and flour while they helped the children. Another project with Ohio Hunger Alliance involved employees donating to the Lunch Money for a Day program.

Currently, employees are participating in the 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. To serve 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.

Past employee activities:

• Contributed 50 gifts to Franklin County Children's Services’ Holiday Wish Program;
• Donated more than 400 food items to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
• Club Fed coordinated the canned food drive at Leadership Conference where 400 nonperishable items were collected.
• CPR and First Aid training with the Red Cross; Club Fed purchased first aid kits for the office.
• OFBF completed a two-year agreement with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio to maintain the cleanliness of a two-mile stretch of roadway in the Adopt-a-Roadway program. Four cleanings were completed each year.

"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," Lewis said.

Cutlines: 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.