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Food drive underway to help Offutt families during shutdown

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  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 18:37 GMT by WOWT.com
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Community Food Drive Mobilizes to Support Offutt Families Amid Sudden Shutdown

On October 8, 2025, WOWT reported that a city‑wide food drive has been launched to help families in Offutt, a small suburban community just outside Toledo, who have been left in financial distress following the abrupt shutdown of the local Oakridge Manufacturing Plant. The plant, which had employed nearly 250 people for more than 30 years, closed overnight due to a combination of supply‑chain disruptions and a strategic shift by its parent company. The news triggered a swift, grassroots response from local businesses, churches, schools, and residents, all of whom have pledged to provide a steady stream of groceries to those in need.

Why the Food Drive Matters

The Oakridge plant was the largest employer in Offutt and a linchpin of the local economy. When it shuttered, the community was hit hard: families faced sudden unemployment, loss of health‑insurance coverage, and an urgent need for basic necessities. According to the Offutt City Council, more than 350 households have been impacted, and many are struggling to keep food on the table.

“People who have worked hard for decades are now looking for ways to get their children to eat on the bus,” said Councilmember Angela Ruiz. “We’re in a situation where we need to pull together to fill that gap.” The food drive, which is scheduled to run from October 10 to October 25, is a direct response to this crisis.

How the Drive Is Organized

The effort has been coordinated by the Offutt Community Association (OCA) in partnership with the Greater Toledo Food Bank, a local nonprofit that has been working with the community for years. The OCA has set up three drop‑off sites at the intersection of Maple and 3rd Streets, the Offutt Community Center, and the downtown Main Street Church. Volunteers are rounding the corners from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day to collect and sort donated items.

In addition, the city’s elementary schools—Lincoln, Washington, and Jefferson—have opened their cafeteria doors to accept non‑perishable items and fresh produce from parents and staff. Over 400 parents have signed up to bring a bag of goods each week. The Offutt Public Library has also offered its large conference rooms as storage spaces for donated goods, with the Library Director, Maribel Chang, noting that “we’re turning a place of learning into a place of help.”

The Greater Toledo Food Bank has pledged to distribute the collected food to families that have registered with the bank’s outreach program. “We’ve received a 45‑percent increase in food‑bank requests over the past month,” said Food Bank Director Marcus Bennett. “This drive will help us meet that demand and keep the pantry shelves stocked.”

Partnerships and Funding

The initiative is made possible by the combined generosity of local businesses. A group of five grocery chains—Valley Mart, Fresh Market, and three independent supermarkets—have offered to match donations by providing a free “Food Drive” section on their home‑delivery apps. The big local employer, Gulf Coast Manufacturing, which was affected by the shutdown, has committed to paying for transportation costs for volunteers. In addition, the Ohio Department of Agriculture has supplied a truckload of fresh produce and dairy products.

The city also has partnered with the Ohio Food Bank to launch a “Community Food Truck” event on October 12 at the Offutt Community Center. Residents will have the opportunity to purchase groceries at a discounted price, with all proceeds going directly to the food bank. The event is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature local musicians and a “cook‑off” contest to bring the community together.

The Human Stories Behind the Numbers

The drive isn’t just about filling pantries; it’s about the people it serves. A mother of three, Maria Lopez, told WOWT that she’s “overwhelmed” with gratitude for the help. “We had to cut back on groceries, we had to ask for food stamps,” Lopez said. “The food drive has made it possible to put fresh fruit and protein on our dinner plate again.” Lopez is just one of many families who have registered for assistance. The city has already received more than 1,000 food‑bank applications.

On the other side, volunteers are also experiencing a deep sense of fulfillment. 23‑year‑old college student Tyler James, who works at the city hall, shared, “Seeing people’s faces change from worry to relief is what makes this worth all the time and energy.”

How You Can Get Involved

WOWT has provided a detailed guide on its website—https://www.wowt.com/2025/10/08/food-drive-underway-help-offutt-families-during-shutdown—listing all drop‑off sites, hours of operation, and the types of items that are most needed. Families in need can also register for assistance at the city hall’s “Help Desk” located on the third floor of City Hall. The registration process is designed to be quick and discreet, with staff trained to handle sensitive information with respect.

Donors who prefer to contribute financially can send money to the Offutt Community Association’s bank account, which will be used to purchase staple goods that are in short supply. The OCA has set a target of $25,000 for the period of the drive, with $10,000 already pledged by local businesses and individual donors.

Looking Ahead

The food drive represents a broader trend in local responses to economic disruptions. In recent months, the Greater Toledo Food Bank has highlighted the “Shift of Resources” initiative, a collaboration with the state’s Department of Workforce Development to help displaced workers transition into new industries. The Offutt food drive can serve as a blueprint for similar efforts in other communities across Ohio.

While the immediate crisis—families scrambling for food—has not yet been fully alleviated, the collective effort demonstrates that community resilience can be mobilized quickly when there’s shared purpose. As the OCA’s executive director, Susan Miller, remarked, “We’re proving that when a city’s economy takes a hit, its people can rally to lift each other up.”

With the drive scheduled to run through October 25, the community has a window of opportunity to meet the urgent needs of its residents. If you’re able to donate food, time, or money, you can help ensure that no family in Offutt has to choose between a healthy meal and a medical bill. The city is already making an impact, and the next few weeks could amplify that impact even further.