Campaign aims to fight hunger in Meigs County – one pig at a time
POMEROY, Ohio – The Meigs County Foundation (MCF) is teaming up with the Meigs County Fair Board to debut the Fill the Freezer campaign at the 2026 Meigs County Fair, bringing local residents, businesses and organizations together to help community members facing food insecurity.
The campaign invites buyers at the fair’s Aug. 22 junior livestock sale to donate their hog purchases to fill the freezers of the county’s food pantries and fight hunger in Meigs County – one pig at a time.
“Addressing food insecurity has long been a priority for the Meigs County Foundation because no one in our communities should have to worry where their next meal will come from,” said Laura Sheets, MCF committee member. “By connecting the generosity of livestock buyers, the hard work of our local 4-H and FFA members, and the support of our partners, we’re serving our youth, our neighbors and building a stronger, healthier Meigs County.”
The Fill the Freezer campaign is being held in partnership with the Meigs County Fair Board, local 4-H and FFA members, and meat processors. The NiSource Charitable Foundation and Columbia Gas are serving as corporate sponsors for this inaugural event. The goal for this year’s campaign is 10 donated hogs. With the support of its donors, MCF is covering the meat processing costs for those hogs.
Locally raised meat donated through Fill the Freezer will not only help individuals and families in Meigs County, where more than 20 percent of the population experiences food insecurity, but also the food pantries that serve them by providing high-quality protein. The Southeast Ohio Foodbank, which serves 10 Appalachian Ohio counties including Meigs County, reports that only 12 percent of the commodities it receives and distributes to food pantries include perishable protein like frozen meat, poultry and seafood.
MCF is one of a growing number of FAO’s affiliate foundation partners spearheading or supporting Fill the Freezer and similar campaigns. In 2025 alone, more than 33,000 pounds of fresh, local protein – one of the most expensive staples for both families stretched thin and the food pantries that serve them – were donated through these programs.