New Lexington, Ohio — The Perry County Board of Commissioners is proud to announce a new partnership that will bring locally sourced meat from the Fill the Freezer campaign to residents of the Perry County Home, also known as Fairview Assisted Living.
Originally established in Perry County, the Fill the Freezer campaign was created through the leadership of the Community Foundation for Perry County as a way to strengthen the local food system, ensure that high-quality protein reaches those in need while supporting local youth. Since its inception, the initiative has brought together the Perry County Fair board, local 4-h, FFA members, SEO Foodbank, meat processors and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio with a shared goal of addressing food insecurity while keeping resources circulating with local youth.
This latest partnership builds on that strong foundation by connecting the campaign with the Perry County Home. Through collaboration with the United Way of Muskingum, Perry and Morgan Counties, the County Home is now able to access locally processed meat from the Fill the Freezer program, significantly enhancing the quality and nutritional value of meals served to residents.
“We are proud to see a locally created initiative like Fill the Freezer continue to grow and directly benefit our community,” said the Perry County Commissioners. “This partnership relied heavily on Fairview Assisted Living leadership, Lillian Holman, Tara Moore,, Prosecutor TJ Rugg, Julie Paxton of the CFPC, United Way of Muskingum, Perry and Morgan Counties, Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, Southeast Ohio Foodbank and our staff at the Commissioners’ Office.”
A representative of the Community Foundation for Perry County, Julie Paxton, added: “Since 2021, the Fill the Freezer program has donated more than 55,000 pounds of locally raised sausage to food pantries across Perry County, supporting friends and neighbors facing food insecurity. Guided by the mission that ‘No One Goes Hungry in Perry County,’ the initiative continues to expand into new areas of need. Partnering with the United Way to support residents at Fairview Assisted Living is a strong example of how this effort continues to grow and serve our community.”
The United Way of Muskingum, Perry and Morgan Counties has played a key role in coordinating access and helping bridge partnerships across county lines, further expanding the reach and impact of the program.
The CEO, Tracey Ballas, of the United Way of Muskingum, Perry, and Morgan Counties stated: “The United Way is delighted to be among the partners in Perry County ensuring that seniors have high quality nutrition to enhance good health. This aligns with our mission to create healthier communities, along with youth opportunities, financial security and community resilience.”
This collaboration represents a meaningful step forward in addressing food access while investing in local youth and community well-being. By leveraging existing partnerships and resources, Perry County continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovative, community-driven solutions.
For more information about the Fill the Freezer campaign or how to support local efforts, please contact the Community Foundation for Perry County through email at Perry@ffao.org or call 740-753-1111.