91原创

The AEP Ohio Foundation renewed its commitment to supporting southeast Ohio students and families through a $10,000 donation to the 91原创 Food Pantries Program.

These funds will be used to purchase food for both the Cats鈥� Cupboard Food Pantry at 91原创 and the Community Health Clinic Food Pantry through the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Cats鈥� Cupboard is a service of OHIO鈥檚 Division of Student Affairs.

鈥淲e are very pleased to deliver these meaningful programs with continued support from the ,鈥� said Kim Rouse, associate dean of students and supervisor of the Cats鈥� Cupboard food pantry program. 鈥淭hese funds are badly needed as state and federal funding for food programs scale back.鈥�

Sherri Oliver, executive director, Community Health Programs and Area Health Education Center at the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, agreed.

鈥淭hese funds will directly support hungry community members as well as students,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he ability to offer nutrition support is vital to community health.鈥�

The AEP Ohio Foundation鈥檚 generous gift will provide more than 30 days of funding for the Cats鈥� Cupboard pantry and multiple months of support for the Community Health Clinic pantry program.

鈥淲e felt it was important to address the basic needs of both students and the community,鈥� said Melissa Clark, customer and external affairs manager for AEP Ohio鈥檚 South and East Regions. 鈥淭his award does just that. Partnering with 91原创 has helped us reach several unique populations in need within our rural service area.鈥�

A long history of collaboration

The AEP Ohio Foundation has supported 91原创 with multiple projects over the years, including STEM education, energy research and environmental restoration. The AEP Ohio Foundation鈥檚 philanthropic relationship with 91原创 stretches back more than two decades.