This Friday - 9/27 - we welcomed Julie Erwin Rinaldi, a Dublin AM Rotary member and the new Executive Director of the Dublin Food Pantry.

For over 46 years, the Dublin Food Pantry has provided food and essential items to individuals and families within our community who are experiencing food insecurity. The Pantry serves residents throughout the City of Dublin and Dublin City Schools District who are spread across eight zip codes and three counties. 

Erwin-Rinaldi has been an active member of the Dublin A.M. Rotary since 2009, serving as president and Literacy Committee chairperson. She and her husband, David, have enjoyed volunteering together for the Miracle League of Central Ohio, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army, and other local non-profits through their years in Dublin. 

“I am thrilled to continue to work with the community to develop creative, caring ways to support those who need a helping hand. I hope to maximize the long-standing community partnerships that I have made in my previous work to continue to find ways to create hope and healing.” 

While not everyone realizes the extent of hunger in the Dublin community, hunger continues to grow. More than 4,700 households live on less than $35,000 annually in our community and nearly 16% of Dublin students are considered economically disadvantaged. 

To meet the growing needs of its neighbors, the Dublin Food Pantry launched a $3 million comprehensive capital campaign in 2022 to purchase and renovate a larger, more accessible facility from which to serve the community. Thanks to the generosity of the Dublin community, the Pantry began serving clients at its new home at 6608 Dublin Center Drive on October 11, 2023. 

The new space is certainly being put to good use. Compared to the first quarter of 2023, the Food Pantry has had a nearly 30% increase in the number of households served, with a 22% increase in overall Pantry visits during the first quarter of 2024. That equates to 171,447 equivalent meals distributed in just the first three months of the year. 

As the Dublin Food Pantry enters this new phase, the continued support of the community is vital to ensuring the most vulnerable receive the food and essential items necessary. As the demands on the Pantry continue to increase, additional financial and human resources are required to meet those needs. 

If you have not visited the new Pantry, we invite you to do so. To learn more about the Pantry and how you can get involved, visit us online or email Julie at Director@DublinFoodPantry.org. 

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Dr. Christopher Hoch is in his fourth year as director of The Ohio State University Marching and Athletic Bands. He also is associate director of bands and an assistant professor in Ohio State's School of Music. Prior to his appointment, he served one year as interim director, two years as associate director and one year as assistant director of Marching and Athletic Bands. He served for seven years as the director of bands at Rutherford B. Hayes High School in Delaware, OH, and three years as director of The Ohio State University Marching Band Alumni.

Dr. Hoch’s work with The Ohio State University Marching Band has received national and international recognition for innovation and creativity in show design; he has been the architect behind many of the shows that have been watched by millions of people on YouTube and at various locations around the country. Under Dr. Hoch’s leadership, the marching band performed at the first College Football Playoff National Championship game after the 2014 season, and at Wembley Stadium in London in 2015.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Hoch serves as the musical director of the Scioto Valley Brass and Percussion Company, a Columbus-based British-style brass band, and he is active around the state of Ohio as a clinician, guest conductor, musical arranger and guest speaker.

Dr. Hoch’s Ohio State education includes bachelor’s degrees in music education and mathematics, master’s degrees in instrumental conducting and music education, and a PhD in music education.

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Guest Speaker: Andy Beal.

Former Senior Regional Vice President of Invesco.  Retired with 5 Adult children and 11 Grandchildren

Topic: TrueSport and Auto Racing

TrueSport is founded on three cornerstones: Sportsmanship. Winning the right way - with respect and gratitude for teammates, coaches, parents, and competitors. Character Building & Life Skills.

The TrueSport mission is simple and bold: to change the culture of youth sport by providing powerful educational tools to equip young athletes with the resources to build life skills and core values for success on and off the field.

 Rich Fletcher - Senior Vice President, Business Development of Columbus Region & One Columbus

One Columbus is the dedicated economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region. Our team is committed to helping new and existing businesses grow in the Region by working with both local and state partners to pave the way for your business’s success. Our goal is to ensure the Columbus Region remains vibrant and economically healthy by creating more opportunities for its businesses and residents.

If your business is expanding, One Columbus can help you assess locations, recruit and retain a talented workforce, and secure public and private resources available to growing companies.

About One Columbus
As the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region, One Columbus’ mission is to lead a comprehensive regional growth strategy that develops and attracts the world’s most competitive companies, grows a highly adaptive workforce, prepares our communities for the future and inspires corporate, academic and public innovation throughout the Columbus Region. One Columbus expertly guides companies through the location decision process. Through strategic business outreach and customized research, the One Columbus team leverages public, private and institutional partnerships to grow the Columbus Region’s economy and strengthen its national and international competitiveness. Funding is received from more than 300 private organizations, local governments, academic institutions and JobsOhio. Learn more at ColumbusRegion.com.

Earlier this month, One Columbus was recognized for the 7^th year in a row as a recipient of the Mac Conway award by Site Selection for being one of the top 20 economic development organizations in the nation. Learn more about that award here.