Freestore helps more than 2,900 families with holiday food

OVER-THE-RHINE - The Freestore Foodbank today began its annual distribution of Thanksgiving meals to needy families. The delivery of meals will continue through Wednesday afternoon.

So far, the Freestore has helped 2,934 families and a total of 9,163 people with free food, pantry representatives said.

On the first day of its Thanksgiving distribution, the Freestore had an 8 percent increase in the number of people served in comparison to the first day of Thanksgiving distribution last year.

Overall, the Freestore expects to provide Thanksgiving food boxes to nearly 20,000 families in the Tri-State.

Thanksgiving food distribution continues from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, and from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday. 

Also on Tuesday, several Cincinnati Bengals players will volunteer and help hand out the food boxes. Players slated to attend include Boom Herron, Jeromy Myles, Brandon Tate, Chris Pressley, Taylor Mays, Armon Binns, Travelle Wharton and Nate Clements.

Anyone interested in making a donation can visit www.freestorefoodbank.org or call (513) 482-FOOD (3663).

The Freestore’s Customer Connection Center is located at 112 E. Liberty St., in Over-the-Rhine.

Overall, the Freestore serves about 250,000 people each year, including roughly 110,000 in Hamilton County. About 40,000 people visit the Liberty Street facility for emergency food assistance annually.