COLUMBUS, Ohio — Food insecurity affects more than a million Ohioans.
According to Feeding America, about one in eight people in the buckeye state faces hunger every day. While food pantries can often be used as a solution, they’re not the only way to feed those in need.
Food insecurity in America has always been an issue. But an executive chef who has a love for wild nutritious meat is trying to help solve the problem. He’s partnering with an outdoor-focused tv network to distribute free meals to people in need.
Hunt, fish, feed. Three words that are changing the way people view helping with food insecurity. The goal is to tap into underutilized food to help feed those in need.
“We’re using an often overlooked product in venison, which is one very healthy and nutritious. It’s also very available here in Columbus, Ohio. There’s white tailed dear running around all over the place,” said Executive Chef of Wildeats Enterprises John McGannon.
McGannon flew in from California to team up with the Outdoor Channel, Spectrum and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to provide free meals to Central Ohioans who are facing food insecurity.
“I love to hunt and fish. I also understand that in doing so we can help people have access to food security because we can donate some of the food that we harvest to places like YWCA and a variety of places that people who have food insecurity,” said Husted.
As part of the event, Spectrum presented the YWCA with a check for $2,500.
“As a corporate citizen, this is a place where we are a part of the community. So it is very important to be engaged in the community where we live and where we work. And the YWCA is one of those anchor institutions that is an excellent partner for this kind of engagement,” said Spectrum News Government Affairs Manager Tamara Howard.
“This is the first year we’ve had this here and we are so excited. We hope it sets a trend and we’re able to have Spectrum in on this event on an annual basis,” said YWCA CEO Elizabeth Brown.
As for McGannon, whose primarily works as a private chef, he says events like this one are where he can be the most impactful.
“I feed homeless and needy people and I get just as much satisfaction out of both of them. Sharing my passion for food when you can combine that with the love of nature, it’s a win-win,” said McGannon.
The event was put on in part by Spectrum’s government affairs team. Charter Communications is the parent company of Spectrum and Spectrum News 1.