COLUMBUS — In an effort to address Ohio’s growing hunger epidemic, AARP Ohio and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks are teaming up to fight hunger through AARP Ohio’s Statewide Food and Fund Drive.

The three-week food and fund drive began Nov. 1 and runs through Nov. 21, with donations going directly to each donor’s local food bank and pantry, soup kitchen or shelter, making a difference in their local community.

With their contributions, AARP members will affect the lives of millions of Ohioans who visit Ohio’s emergency food network.

In 2009, over 1.43 million Ohioans visited a food pantry, soup kitchen or shelter to meet their daily nutritional needs, a number that has steadily increased since the Hunger in America study was released in 2006 by Mathematica Policy Institute.

“Too many people are forced to make a very tough decision. They must choose between paying for food or utilities or heating fuel or rent or medicine,” said Dick Stevens, Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Agency food & nutrition division director in charge of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeastern Ohio.

“Hunger is putting a severe strain on more lives in the 10 southeastern counties we serve.”

By donating food items through the food and fund drive, Ohioans are able to help their friends, neighbors and family members who are in need.

Due to the increasing number of Ohioans visiting the emergency food network, food donations are incredibly important. Nutrient-rich foods, such as peanut butter, tuna and supplement shakes, which are high in protein, along with low-salt and sugar-free foods are extremely important to the emergency food network, as individuals with dietary limitations and restrictions visit local pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.

Individuals who donate funds through the food and fund drive will have their dollars maximized: for every one dollar donated Ohio food banks can buy at least five meals for hungry Ohioans.

Jane Taylor, state director of AARP Ohio said, “Thousands of Ohio’s older adults are making choices between buying food and purchasing medications. AARP believes that no one of any age should struggle to make the choice of buying groceries or the medicine they need.

AARP’s 1.5 million members in Ohio can play a significant role that will help older adults and their families put nutritious food on the table.”

“Ohioans understand the impact of hunger because they see it in their communities, their neighborhood and their own back yards,” says Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks. “Although Ohio continues to struggle through the Great Recession we still value helping our struggling friends and neighbors.

By becoming involved in the AARP Ohio Food and Fund drive, members of AARP will impact the lives of fellow Ohioans in ways they can’t even imagine.”

Ohioans are being given many options to participate in AARP Ohio’s Food and Fund Drive. Ohioans are encouraged to visit www.oashf.org and select the “donate now” option. More information is available at www.aarp.org/oh, and individuals can tell the story of their donation experience and why fighting hunger is so important by posting a donation story at www.facebook.com/AARPOH.

Food donations can be dropped off at Community Mission Outreach, Inc., 3748 State Route 7, Chesapeake, Ohio 45619, (740) 867-6628.