Livestock sales are a pinnacle moment at county fairs, bringing community together to support and celebrate local 4-H youth. In Appalachian Ohio, this summer ritual is increasingly bringing community together to also support our neighbors facing food insecurity – thanks to an innovative campaign piloted in our region by the Community Foundation for Perry County (CFPC).

In 2021, CFPC debuted its Fill the Freezer campaign, inviting buyers at the Perry County Fair’s Junior Livestock Sale to donate their hog purchases to fill the freezers of the county’s food pantries and fight hunger – one pig at a time.

In its first year, more than 5,000 pounds of pork were donated. In 2022, that number rose to 7,500 pounds. For the past three years, the campaign has yielded enough sausage to stock Perry County’s food pantries for an entire year. The 2025 campaign saw individuals, businesses and organizations donate 61 hogs and CFPC purchase an additional 19 pigs – resulting in 9,570 pounds of locally raised protein to feed Perry County residents.

CFPC’s 2026 Fill the Freezer campaign will be held Saturday, July 25.

In partnership with the Perry County Fair board, local 4-H and FFA members, the Southeast Ohio Foodbank, local food pantries and meat processors, and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, Fill the Freezer brings together local residents and businesses who not only donate their hog purchases but also donate money to cover meat processing costs.

Learn more

For more information about Perry County’s Fill the Freezer campaign, email Perry@ffao.org or call 740.753.1111.

Filling the freezers of food pantries across the region

Fill the Freezer’s impact continues to spread beyond Perry County. In 2025, seven of FAO’s affiliate foundation partners spearheaded or supported Fill the Freezer campaigns. That year alone, more than 33,000 pounds of meat were donated through these programs, which are expanding to additional counties this year. Learn more about Fill the Freezer efforts across Appalachian Ohio.

Support Fill the Freezer Perry County