Multiple food drives in Zanesville will collect donations for people in need

ZANESVILLE, OH- The City of Zanesville is teaming up with local organizations to help fight hunger in Muskingum County. Two community food drives are set to take place this week and next to support families in need ahead of the holiday season.

The city, along with the Muskingum County Hunger Network and Riesbeck’s, will host the first food drive this Friday at the downtown Riesbeck’s. Donations of nonperishables will be collected from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Hunger Network. The Hunger Network is especially in need of canned vegetables and cereal.

“We are encouraging the businesses, the community itself, everybody from Muskingum County, City of Zanesville, this takes care of our 12 food pantries and 4 hot meal programs, so please come out and donate, it’s just like Covid all over again, we need to make sure that our residents and our little ones are taken care of during this time of need,” said Zanesville Fire Department Assistant Chief, Doug Hobson.

The effort continues next week with a drive-up and drop-off event at Secrest Auditorium on November 12th and 13th. Donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Fourth Street entrance.

“Prior to the SNAP benefits being cut we have already been seeing a significant increase in our services, a misunderstanding with a lot of people is they think that we are government funded and we are not, we are funded by churches, individuals, businesses, we are funded by our community,” said Eastside Community Ministries Executive Director, Jamie Trout.

Cash or check donations will also be accepted for those without nonperishable items. Organizers say every can and every dollar helps keep the shelves stocked and meals on the table for families across Muskingum County this holiday season.