Our History

Washington County Harvest of Hope was founded in 2005 as a mission of Christ United Methodist Church in Marietta, OH to address the growing needs of hungry families and area agencies who serve them. In September 2007, WCHOH received its 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status from the IRS.  

The organization purchased a refrigerated truck in 2008 with the proceeds from the Broughton Ice Cream Social, a grant from the Sisters of Saint Joseph Foundation, and private donors.

By 2010, Harvest of Hope had recruited more than 100 volunteers to serve in all aspects of the organization’s mission. Four community gardens had been established in three towns (New Matamoras, Marietta and Belpre). The organization was making deliveries to seven local churches and began to support nine community meal programs. That same year, Harvest of Hope partnered with 36 agencies to recover and deliver food.

A milestone was achieved in August 2018 – one million pounds of food had been recovered and delivered since 2005. In 2019, Harvest of Hope purchased a new refrigerated van and the number of agencies served increase to 34. More than 12,800 pounds of fresh produce, ground beef, and chicken were delivered to area food pantries and community meal sites through grant funding.  On average, 2,500 pounds of food were recovered and delivered every week. 

In 2020, during COVID-19, gifts and grants provided $26,000 for recovery and delivery operations and also purchased more than 5,000 pounds of ground beef and chicken breasts as well as 2,500 dozen eggs for food pantries. Walmart and Aldi became food donors. Nearly 4,000 pounds of food were recovered and delivered every week and over 200,000 pounds of food were distributed during the year.

As the pandemic continued into 2021, food pantries saw an increase in clients, but the impact of COVID continued to reduce the amount of food available, especially fresh and high protein foods.  Our concerned community made it possible to rescue more than 207,000 pounds of fresh food and canned/packaged goods for more than 42 local agencies.

Each year, Harvest of Hope works to expand the number of agencies we serve and increase the number of donors that provide food for the food insecure. The organization has rescued and redistributed nearly 2 million pounds of food since it began in 2006.

Harvest of Hope is governed by a Board of Directors. We have one paid employee, our Executive Director. Several standing committees, staffed by Board members and other volunteers, manage much of the work of the organization: Finance, Fund Raising, Public Awareness, Board Development and Personnel.

Each year, more than 100 volunteers work together to pick up and deliver food, assist with hot meal programs, and participate in fundraising events. Currently, Harvest of Hope maintains two community gardens in Marietta.