October 2024
In Athens, Ohio, food insecurity is a major issue that affects a significant portion of the community, including students, families, and the homeless who struggle to access nutritious meals everyday. This photo story delves into the human side of food insecurity in Athens, capturing the welcoming, challenging, and communal support that define the city’s efforts to address this issue. Through these images, we see Athens First United Methodist Church, United Campus Ministry, and the people who rely on these resources, as well as the volunteers and organizers working endlessly to provide for those in need. Each photograph tells a story of hunger met with hope, highlighting both the challenges and the power of community-driven initiatives like Athens Food Rescue. By shining a light on these everyday efforts, this project aims to raise awareness about food insecurity and inspire change all over the United States.
Monday lunch is served at Athens First United Methodist Church located on 2 South College Street on October 28, 2024. Monday lunch is the busiest of the weekly meals the Athens community has set up for the residents. This lunch has a large space for the community members to sit and talk, a free clothes table, and a large selection of food on the pantry table provided by Athens Food Rescue. Volunteer Rachel Myers says, “Some of these people are regulars and do live out of cars or shelters so we provide the b
Director of Monday lunch ministry, Tom Murray, stands on the scale to weigh the buckets of food brought to Athens First United Methodist Church located on 2 South College Street on Sunday evening October 27, 2024 by Athens Food Rescue Volunteer Heidi Wilhelm. Murray says, “When we weigh the food it allows us to track the amount of food brought in but also shows Athens Food Rescue how much food they bring to provide at our pantry table. The food being brought to Monday lunch is what is not being taken to the
Adele Hanson, one of the volunteers and one of the 4 founders of the Athens Food Rescue non profit drops off the food donated by Seaman's Cardinal Supermarket to Baker Center at Ohio University on Tuesday October 8, 2024. This food is then given to the places that provide lunches and evening dinners served in the Athens community. Nanda Filkin, one of the 4 founders of Athens Food Recuse says, “Athens Food Rescue was started back in 2015 by 4 local women who for different reasons were passionate about food rescue. Teresa Curtiss, Adele Hanson, Sue Jago and I started this non profit with the main goal of diverting food from the landfill to local kitchens and food pantries. Not only was the environment saved but the community benefited from our mission. Over the last 9 years, we have helped divert more than 250,000lbs of food.”
Volunteer Rachel Myers helps the people of the Athens community at the food pantry at Monday lunch on October 14, 2024 at Athens First United Methodist Church. The food pantry table has an array of bread, muffins, cookies, premade salads and sandwiches, soups, vegetables, fruits, and more that residents can take with them. Myers says, “Athens Food Rescue has helped to raise some awareness about food insecurity that makes me want to do more, especially when you know the people.”
Students of Ohio University, Lily Chongswatdi and Eden Truax sit for Wednesday lunch at United Campus Ministry on October 16, 2024. Ari Faber, the operations coordinator emphasizes that the meals are not just for the elderly, or the homeless, but anyone in Athens that is wanting a warm and nutritious meal, including students at Ohio University. Faber says, “My budget for meals is small so whatever food we are provided from food pantries or other lunches helps. I've already spent over my budget. As we serve
Jeff Marketplace on East Green of Ohio University is on the list of places Heidi Wilhelm, Athens Food Rescue volunteer stops at on her Sunday pickups before going to Athens First United Methodist Church to weigh the boxes with Tom Murray. Nanda Filkin, one of the 4 founders of Athens Food Rescue says, “With the help of 12-15 local volunteers. We pick up from 12-15 locations throughout Athens and deliver to different food pantries, kitchens and others throughout the area. We are all volunteers and do not hav
Michael Adelsperger looks off as he engages in conversation with the other people of the Athens community at Wednesday lunch on October 23, 2024 at United Campus Ministry. Micheal and his girlfriend Tamara Ritchie try to attend every meal they can to have a nutritious meal and grab food provided by Athens Food Rescue at the food pantry table before going back out into the cold weather. Ari Faber, the operations coordinator of the meals at UCM says, “The growth of the program is how we can show the impact of our success. We track who comes in and count how many people eat. We track when people come up for seconds. My metric for success is did the meal get out on time? Did people get enough to eat? Did it taste good?”
Rhonda Clark, the Monday lunch assistant coordinator posts to Facebook how the Monday lunch is going on October 21, 2024 in Athens, Ohio at Athens First United Methodist Church . Posting to social media allows the community of Athens to see what is being provided and to come join for lunch as well see Athens First United Methodist Church.
Michael Adelsperger puts up “bunny ears” jokingly with his girlfriend Tamara Ritchie as they wait in line for lunch on Wednesday October 23, 2024 at United Campus Ministry in Athens, Ohio. Tamara says, “I've known him for two months and I love him. I trust him with my life.” The two have been together for a short amount of time but they spend everyday together, getting through life just as everyone else does. The pair enjoy these meals because they get to talk with other friends in the community while also eating a nutritious and healthy meal.
Noah Hogan waves and says “Come to Passion Works Monday and Wednesdays, that’s when I'll be there” as he walks out of Monday lunch at Athens First United Methodist Church with Steve Geisler on October 21, 2024. At Athens First United Methodist Church lunches they provide a table for the people of Passion Works studio who “create opportunities for all people to explore and socially connect through the process of making art.”