AEP Ohio Foundation provides assistance for hungry students, families at Ohio University

The AEP Ohio Foundation renewed its commitment to supporting southeast Ohio students and families through a $10,000 donation to the Ohio University Food Pantries Program.

These funds will be used to purchase food for both the Cats’ Cupboard Food Pantry at Ohio University and the Community Health Clinic Food Pantry through the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Cats’ Cupboard is a service of OHIO’s Division of Student Affairs.

“We are very pleased to deliver these meaningful programs with continued support from the AEP Ohio Foundation,” said Kim Rouse, associate dean of students and supervisor of the Cats’ Cupboard food pantry program. “These funds are badly needed as state and federal funding for food programs scale back.”

Sherri Oliver, executive director, Community Health Programs and Area Health Education Center at the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, agreed.

“These funds will directly support hungry community members as well as students,” she said. “The ability to offer nutrition support is vital to community health.”

The AEP Ohio Foundation’s generous gift will provide more than 30 days of funding for the Cats’ Cupboard pantry and multiple months of support for the Community Health Clinic pantry program.

“We felt it was important to address the basic needs of both students and the community,” said Melissa Clark, customer and external affairs manager for AEP Ohio’s South and East Regions. “This award does just that. Partnering with Ohio University has helped us reach several unique populations in need within our rural service area.”

A long history of collaboration

The AEP Ohio Foundation has supported Ohio University with multiple projects over the years, including STEM education, energy research and environmental restoration. The AEP Ohio Foundation’s philanthropic relationship with Ohio University stretches back more than two decades.  

You can find more information on the AEP Ohio Foundation here.