‘Christmas angel’ donates $300K to help fight hunger in Dayton area

DAYTON — An anonymous “Christmas Angel” has donated $300,000 to help fight hunger in the Dayton area.

“I’m deeply moved by our donor’s kindness in this time of great need,” said Ambassador Tony Hall, whose helping . “This contribution is a challenge to everyone to find a way to help. Whether it’s writing a check, volunteering, taking a meal to a hungry neighbor or dropping off food at a nearby food pantry, we all have to find a way to help in these difficult times.”

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The donor lives out-of-state and has longstanding ties to Hall.

Hall and the Hall Hunger Initiative worked with the donor to make sure the gift was used in ways that will have the most impact for the region.

“This is a tough time for many of our neighbors,” said Hall. “This generous donation strengthens our partner organizations and builds capacity. Because our donor covered certain capital costs, contributions individuals make now can go directly to feeding the hungry,” he said.

The money went to support projects at community organizations, including Miami Valley Meals and a joint project with Homefull and the Area Agency on Agency.

Miami Valley Meals, which received $110,000, was started in the Spring and hired chefs laid off due to the pandemic and pays them to prepare healthy meals for those in need. In May, the group was distributing 500 meals a week and now is up to 4,500 meals a week.

The donation will pay for the organization to buy a packaging machine that will help increase production.

“We are extremely grateful for this timely contribution,” said Amanda DeLotelle, Executive Director, Miami Valley Meals. “The packaging machine will be a big help. Right now, the chefs have to stop cooking several times a shift and hand package each meal. Thanks to this donation, we will have an automated process that will allow the chefs to spend more time cooking.”

Homefull and the Area Agency on Agency received $130,000, which will be used to buy a lift-equipped van that will help transport people to Homefull’s Mobile Grocery Store and the soon-to-open Gem City Market.

Cox Media Group