The region Joe Burrow grew up in Ohio made a huge imprint on the quarterback. After winning the Heisman Trophy in December, LSU’s quarterback made an emotional speech spotlighting the struggles of Athens County by sharing details of a region struggling with a nearly 20% rate of food insecurity.
The result was 13,000 donations for $650,000.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft hasn’t stopped there. The Athens County Food Pantry and Foundation for Appalachian Ohio announced the creation of the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund. Between the pantry’s donation and a dollar-for-dollar match from the FAO, the fund held $700,000 as of Thursday afternoon.
“I’m so grateful for the outpouring of support from people across the country around the food insecurity issues faced by those in my region,” Burrow said in a release. “The initial funds that were raised have had an immediate impact for people throughout Athens County, and I am honored to lend my support and voice to this new initiative that will ensure that impact lasts long into the future.”
Honored to partner & support the Athens County Food Pantry & Foundation for Appalachian Ohio in conjunction with the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund. Thank you to @kroger, @bose, & @peoplesbank for joining me in kick starting this program. For more info click the link in my bio pic.twitter.com/cD5bJROZQ6
— Joey Burrow (@JoeyB) July 9, 2020
For more information about the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund and how to give in the way that works best for you, contact the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio at 740.753.1111 or info@ffao.org. If you would like to make a gift online click here. You may also mail your donation to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, PO Box 456, Nelsonville, OH 45764 and designate the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund.