Linda Hamilton, executive director of the West Ohio Food Bank, spoke to Ada Kiwanis members during the June 14 meeting.

She said that the mission of West Ohio Food Bank is:  “Everyone should have access to healthy, nutritious food.  Together with our partners, we provide nutritious food to those in need."

She added:  “We are not a pantry, soup kitchen or shelter. We are in fact the charity that provides food to more than 170 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters throughout 11 counties in western Ohio. We purchase food and collect donated items, which we store in our 35,000 square foot facility. Most 'pantries' do not have the space to store a truckload of fresh, frozen or perishable food.”

She said that as an affiliate of Feeding America, the largest hunger relief organization in the nation, the food bank receives offers for truckloads of donated product, which are stored and distributed according to the need and desire from each member charity.

With a freezer capacity of 5,000 square feet (able to hold 11 truckloads) and a refrigerated capacity of 2,500 square feet (able to hold 4 to 5 truckloads), the food bank can accept larger donations.

"Our ability to accept frozen and refrigerated products allows us to offer a better variety of nutritious foods to the pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in our service area," she said.