Party rivals team up to help feed hungry

Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern, left, and Republican Chairman Kevin DeWine join forces to seek money for a food bank. Enlarge

Some might call it a Christmas miracle.

The Ohio Democratic Party and Ohio Republican Party have teamed up for a fund-raising email, sent to supporters Thursday, asking recipients to consider making a holiday contribution -- not to a candidate but to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

Both parties previously have encouraged donations to the food bank, agency spokesman Marilyn Tomasi said, but this is the first year they have collaborated.

Ms. Tomasi said the bipartisanship was a pleasant surprise, "Given that we're not seeing a whole lot of civility [in politics] these days, I think it is quite civil what they are doing."

The donations will allow the agency to serve more people in need, she said.

The food bank serves 20 counties in central and eastern Ohio, distributing food to more than 500 charities, food pantries, soup kitchens, and after-school sites. In 2010, it gave out about 40 million pounds of food, Ms. Tomasi said.

It is not clear how much money the joint appeal has raised, but Ms. Tomasi said she expects to know by next month.

The email, signed by Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine and state Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern, states, in part: "The holidays are a time to set aside partisan political differences and remember that we are all Americans who want the best for our country and its people.

"As party chairmen, we often ask our supporters to make a contribution to help our respective party's candidates win. But in the spirit of the holidays, we are asking you to make a contribution today to a local charity both parties support."

Mr. Redfern said that several years ago, he and Mr. DeWine were asked by the Salvation Army to participate in its holiday kettle drive and did so, collecting donations in front of the Statehouse.

This year, the two wanted to team up by reaching out to their respective supporters. Mr. Redfern said his party's email list serve reaches about 250,000 people. Mr. DeWine did not have exact figures but said his contacts run into the tens of thousands.

"This is one issue where we couldn't be in stronger agreement," Mr. DeWine stated. "The impact the recession has had on Ohio families isn't lost on anyone, including me and Chris. I'm glad we've had the opportunity to partner together on such a worthy cause this holiday season."

At opposite ends of the political spectrum, Mr. DeWine and Mr. Redfern rarely see eye to eye; recent disagreements have included Senate Bill 5, which dealt with public employee unions, and congressional redistricting in Ohio.

"I want to tip my hat to both the Democrat and Republican parties who were able to put aside their partisan issues," Ms. Tomasi said.

She added, "Hunger is all of our problem."

Contact Kate Giammarise at: kgiammarise@theblade.com or 419-724-6091.