$1 = 4 Meals

During today's National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, held in Washington, D.C., Ohio Association of Foodbanks executive director Lisa Hamler-Fugitt was named the 2015 Dick Goebel Public Service Award recipient. Recipients of this award exemplify public service to their communities, extensive public policy advocacy and tireless energy and creativity in developing solutions to help reach those struggling with hunger.

Three key economic variables were identified as being linked to food insecurity. Those variables, including median household income and the rate of poverty and unemployment, are analyzed in the annual Hunger Factors Index released today by the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. In 2013, Ohio's Hunger Factors Index value was 13.02. Comparatively, the index value in 2007, prior to the recession, was 8.96.

WATCH: Food pantries are overwhelmed this time of year when schools close for the cold. As a matter of fact, more than 787,000 children statewide rely on free or reduced meals.