Oxford declares ‘Feed Ohio’ month

BY ALEX McKEON | Miami University journalism student

Oxford is doing its part to feed the hungry, as the Oxford City Council approved a measure in August declaring September to be the Ohio Volunteer Challenge: Feed Ohio 2016 month. The official proclamation was made by Oxford Vice Mayor Mike Smith. Smith hopes the community can increase its efforts to fight local hunger.

“Hunger is an issue of grave concern, that transcends geographic boundaries and must therefore be addressed with efforts in every part of our state,” Smith said during his official proclamation at an Aug. 16 City Council meeting.

The Poverty Problem

While Butler County has a relatively low poverty rate at 14.4 percent (based on total family income), which is just below the 14.5 percent national average, Oxford has an astonishing 48.3 percent poverty rate according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While Oxford is a small town, the issue is a point of public concern.

The Feed Ohio program is backed by multiple different religious affiliations and churches in the Oxford area, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Bethel Methodist Church of Miami. The Feed Ohio campaign is seeking to build on the statewide success of last year.

“Last year some 702,000 meals were provided through the Feed Ohio campaign from communities just like Oxford,” a representative from the Feed Ohio campaign said during the City Council meeting, lauding the efforts of the city.

Community Involvement

The goal of the campaign is encourage the people of Oxford to do their part. While September will mark the beginning of a public initiative, the goal is to gain sustained results in the fight against hunger. Ohio will be taking the first step to lower its 15.8 percent poverty rate and many different volunteer opportunities will spring up throughout the town and county.

Photo: The Oxford Food Pantry is among the local agencies that address hunger in the community. -- Photo courtesy of Oxford Food Pantry.