AEP donation helps food bank get goods - LimaOhio.com: Local News

AEP donation helps food bank get goods

Posted: Thursday, December 15, 2011 12:00 am

LIMAAEP Ohio made a $42,434 contribution to West Ohio Food Bank on Friday, and the utility’s gift couldn’t come at a better time, the charity’s CEO said.“We are paying for transportation to get the food to our docks,” said Bambi Markham, who heads the charity that provides food to more than 170 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters across 11 counties. “At the state level, the agriculture surplus monies ran out in October, and so we’ve been trying to negotiate with different farmers,” Markham said. “If they’re willing to donate the surplus items, then we’re willing to pick up the cost of transportation.”The money also pays the cost of packaging the surplus crops, Markham said.Surplus Ohio crops might otherwise be thrown out or plowed under.