Campaign aims to fight hunger in Monroe County – one pound at a time
WOODSFIELD, Ohio – The Monroe County Community Foundation (MCCF) is teaming up with Expand Energy to debut the Fill the Freezer campaign at the 2026 Monroe 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. 27 junior livestock sale to donate their hog and beef purchases to fill the freezers of the county’s food pantries and fight hunger in Monroe County – one pound at a time.
“Monroe County has a lot of heart, and Fill the Freezer gives our county’s giving spirit a direct path to our neighbors who need it most,” said Alyssa Stephens, MCCF committee member. “This campaign is one more way we can all come together to make a difference in our communities.”
The Fill the Freezer campaign is being held in partnership with the Monroe County Senior Fairboard and Sale Committee, local 4-H and FFA members, and meat processors. In addition to the support Expand Energy is providing the campaign, the NiSource Charitable Foundation and Columbia Gas are serving as corporate sponsors and helping to cover meat processing costs.
“The Monroe County Fair is a celebration of the hard work and dedication of our local 4-H and FFA members,” said Stephanie Paluda, community affairs manager for Expand Energy. “Fill the Freezer creates an opportunity for that hard work to have an even greater impact by helping provide nutritious, locally raised protein to families facing food insecurity. We are honored to partner with the Monroe County Community Foundation and others to launch this effort and support our neighbors in need.”
Locally raised meat donated through Fill the Freezer will not only help individuals and families in Monroe County, where more than 17 percent of the population experiences food insecurity, but also the food pantries that serve them by providing high-quality protein. Meat is among the most expensive grocery items, making it often unaffordable for both families living on lower incomes and food pantries.
MCCF 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 were donated through these programs.