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The Food Pantry Network of Licking County is reporting that the 2008 Operation Feed Campaign was a huge success.

Chuck Moore with the Network says they recognized those who significantly contributed in an awards lunch this (Friday) afternoon.

“Our goal was 2.3 million food item points. We surpassed that goal by just over 1,000 so it was a very successful campaign. We also recognized a number of businesses that participated.”

This year’s 2008 Operation Feed Campaign Top Awardees were:

1st Place Overall: State Farm Insurance with 202,541 Points.
2nd Place Overall: MedBen with 150,335 Points
3rd Place Overall: Licking Memorial Health Systems with 150,300 Points.
4th Place Overall: Newark City Schools with 145,148 Points.
Most Points contributed by a Church: Marne United Methodist with 52,309 points.
Most Points contributed by a Parochial School: Blessed Sacrament with 23,286 points.
Most Points contributed by an Elementary School: Legend Elementary with 23,439 points.
Most Points contributed by a Middle School: Utica Jr. High with 25,846 points.
Most Points contributed by a High School: Newark High School with 20,110 points.

Moore says the WCLT and the other media also had a big role in Operation Feed.

“Outside of the food coming in and the money coming in, it’s the publicity we get from the Advocate, Time Warner Cable and WCLT. The free air time from WCLT each year really makes people aware of what’s going on.”

WCLT was recognized for hosting the second annual 12 Hour Broadcast on March 20th at Carnival Foods, that day alone helped bring in over 40,000 food item points.

Moore explains how Operation Feed helps those in need in Licking County. 

“Each year the Food Pantry Network distributes almost 1.5 million pounds of food. When you look at our statistics from five years ago, we were only moving about 500,000 pounds. We’ve almost tripled the amount of food we pass out now.”

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