January 25, 2011 – Lima, Ohio – The West Ohio Food Bank has received a $10,000 gift from Lima Dental Associates, which will enable the non-profit agency to help to provide as many as 70,000 meals for West Central Ohio citizens who need it most. The donation has been made in honor of National Service Day, which was celebrated on January 17, 2011.
“We are humbled by the food bank’s need and their incredible work and outreach,” said Erik Risolvato, D.D.S. “Hunger in our own backyard is a tragic problem that affects the overall health, professional and educational performance of its’ victims and even the oral health and wellness of those who suffer from it,” he added.
Bambi Markham, executive director of the West Ohio Bank received the surprise donation from Lima Dental Associates just before year-end 2010. ” We are especially grateful for the cash contribution since our purchasing power as a chapter of Feeding America allows us to leverage the contribution into even greater impact than actual canned goods, for instance,” said Markham. “Lima Dental Associates has graciously made the donation to be used at our discretion, some of which may go to general capacity funding, enabling us to further our mission of finding, rescuing and distributing food to hungry people in the eleven counties we serve.”
The West Ohio Food Bank contribution is one component of Lima Dental Associates’ community outreach initiative. The Lima Dental Kids Club and its’ free community events, along with other local support including the Lima YMCA and the Equestrian Therapy Program at Fassett Farm are only a few of the non-profits supported by the Lima Dental CareShare program.