CareSource and Dayton Foodbank partner to set new records in 2024

DAYTON, Ohio (CARESOURCE) - For the 13th consecutive year, CareSource and the Dayton Foodbank partnered to fight food insecurity in the Miami Valley, setting new records while reaching community members in need.  

Nearly 450 CareSource employees volunteered at seven food distribution events throughout 2024. (Photo: CareSource)

Together, the organizations provided more than half-a-million meals to over 7,000 families in the Dayton area, reaching all-time highs and setting new records. Nearly 450 CareSource employees volunteered at seven food distribution events throughout 2024, handing out more than 300 tons of food.

“Thanks to our strong partnership with CareSource, we have been able to reach far more families than ever before,” said Michelle L. Riley, CEO of The Foodbank, Inc.  “The CareSource sponsorship of our mass food distributions helped us serve a record number of individuals with food, hope and dignity. CareSource continues to go above and beyond by bringing in additional community partners to serve our lines with resources outside of food.”

Of note this year, nearly 54% of the families taking part in the food distribution lines were first-time users of the Foodbank’s PantryTrak system.  This was almost 6% higher than the previous year and speaks to the ongoing food insecurity needs across our communities. While the level of need is challenging, fortunately there are organizations and people willing to give their time, talent and treasure to rise to meet it.

Additional CareSource employee volunteer efforts at the food distributions in 2024 include:

• Premier Health Mobile Clinic: CareSource employees participated in numerous on-siteevents where community members received free screenings including blood pressurechecks, blood tests and flu vaccines.
• Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals: CareSource employees helped distribute 32,500 pounds of dog and cat food to approximately 3,000 pet-owner families in need.
• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: CareSource employees helped distribute more than1,000 free children’s books as families waited in line at food distribution efforts.
• Cincinnati Bengals: Who Dey, the mascot for the Cincinnati Bengals, joined
  

  CareSource and the Dayton Foodbank provided more than half-a-million meals to over 7,000 families in the Dayton area. (Photo: CareSource)

  CareSource’s Thanksgiving food distribution event to help bring energy and fun (and pose for countless selfies!) to families as they waited in line for free meals.

“Caring is a privilege and we are grateful to be able to do it every day at the workplace and on our own time volunteering in the communities where we live,” said Jesse Reed, director of life services for CareSource Ohio. “We look forward to working with our partner organizations across the Miami Valley again in 2025 to share strength, lift up those in need and make Dayton a better place to live and work for everyone.”