OHIO VALLEY — Through a national initiative named Outnumber Hunger, General Mills will donate 65 cents to Feeding America — enough to secure five meals on behalf of Southeastern Ohio Food Bank based on the product code and zip code entered by each consumer.

Southeastern Ohio Food Bank, a division of Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Agency, is one of 12 food banks in Ohio, each serving their own territory. Food banks are where pantries, soup kitchens and congregate meal sites purchase food to feed individuals who are in need. Southeastern Ohio Food Bank serves Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton and Washington counties.

In southeastern Ohio, 18 percent of people struggle with hunger, nearly two percent greater than the national average of 16.1 percent. This issue often affects hardworking families who face tough decisions each month about whether to pay bills or pay for food. In response to this alarming trend, General Mills, Big Machine Label Group and Feeding America have joined forces to Outnumber Hunger.

Outnumber Hunger allows people to make an impact in their communities, including southeastern Ohio. The program will help Feeding America secure up to 15.6 million meals for local food banks throughout the country.

“By entering your code on the website you can help Southeastern Ohio Food Bank and our neighbors in need benefit from the Outnumber Hunger initiative,” said Tracy Galway, HAPCAP Food and Nutrition director.

Ways to support Outnumber Hunger follow:

• Purchase participating General Mills products (Betty Crocker, Green Giant, Totino’s and Cheerios) and enter codes from these packages at OutnumberHunger.com. Each code submitted helps Feeding America secure five meals on behalf of a local food bank based on the zip code entered.

• Follow Outnumber Hunger on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ to learn of other special ways to participate.

• Follow Big Machine Label Group artists on Facebook and Twitter to get access to special codes. Participating artists include Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Reba, Martina McBride, Eli Young Band, Sunny Sweeney, Edens Edge, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Ella Mae Bowen and Thomas Rhett Akins.

To make a difference in southeastern Ohio, visit www.OutnumberHunger.com.