Mobilizing a Corporate Army for the Fight Against Hunger

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Brian Sherrick. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Brian Sherrick, vice president of Engineering and Projects at American Electric Power (AEP) is more than an executive—he’s a committed advocate for food security in Central Ohio. As a member of the Board of Trustees for the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC), Brian plays a critical role in supporting an organization that serves 20 counties surrounding AEP’s headquarters. His efforts help ensure that thousands of families gain access to meals, resources and hope.

“Mid-Ohio Food Collective supports a network of over 600 partners, which include food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers and afterschool programs, across a 20-county footprint in Central and Eastern Ohio,” Brian says. “This network includes Mid-Ohio Markets, which provide wrap-around services and extended shopping hours that mirror grocery store experiences to help combat stigma.”

Additionally, MOFC offers a Mid-Ohio Farmacy program that integrates healthcare and nutrition putting focus on a Food Is Heath strategy, two urban farms geared towards food production and community education, and a Mid-Ohio Kitchen that provides hundreds of thousands of meals each year to afterschool programs, summer feeding programs and community meals. These assets align to aid in the organization’s mission to end hunger in the area—a challenge that is more prevalent than you’d think.

Brian explains, “Hunger is not necessarily about a lack of food. It’s driven by competing priorities. The other bills stack up, and when people must choose between housing payments, medication and other things, the food bill gets put off because it’s the least important at that time. That’s why the Mid-Ohio Food Collective is there. In fact, over 60% of our customers only come once a year. Most people do not continuously need assistance. They’re not constantly looking for a handout, but rather a little help in those brief, specific moments of need.”

Brian’s leadership goes far beyond attending board meetings. As chair of MOFC’s Development Committee, he actively guides strategy for fundraising and donor engagement. His deep understanding of nonprofit development makes him an ideal champion of the cause, bridging the gap between corporate resources and community need. While representing AEP on the board, he also amplifies MOFC’s mission across every level of the company.

One of Brian’s most impactful contributions is his work as the executive sponsor of AEP’s Operation Feed campaign. Under his guidance, the Spring 2025 campaign raised over $30,000, and AEP’s involvement in MOFC’s Drive Out Hunger event generated an impressive $150,000. Thanks to MOFC’s strategic partnerships, these funds translate into hundreds of thousands of meals for individuals and families struggling with food insecurity.

“One of the things I love about MOFC is their efficiency,” Brian shares. “They take advantage of grants. Federal, state and county funding. Partnerships with farms and grocery stores. They combine efforts with other organizations. Think about every dollar you spend at the grocery store being worth $4.56 at the MOFC. They maximize every dollar for the most benefit of the community.”

Upon moving back to Ohio after his time in the U.S. Army, and driven by his faith, Brian got involved in helping to fight food insecurity and hasn’t looked back. Despite the demands of his high-level role, he consistently dedicates time to advance MOFC’s mission. Whether leading meetings, mentoring volunteer captains or organizing food drives, Brian brings energy and vision to every task. His quiet, steadfast leadership style inspires others to get involved too.

A key focus of Brian’s leadership at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective is supporting the “Food Is Health” initiative, a broader approach to treating food insecurity not just as a social challenge, but as a critical public health issue. This program reframes the traditional image of food banks by prioritizing fresh, nutritious options—over 65% of the food distributed includes produce, meat, eggs and dairy. By emphasizing healthy eating, the initiative not only addresses hunger but also helps prevent chronic, food-related illnesses such as diabetes.

“If you’ve ever been really, really hungry, you know you it’s hard to think about anything else except satisfying that immediate need,” Brian says. “Our biggest goal is to end hunger. It may be something we never get to, but we’d like to work ourselves out of business, so to speak. Beyond that, we’re currently renovating an old Kroger to make it into a market, but also looking at bringing some outside agencies in for skills development. We’d like to help empower people to gain more income and work themselves off the need for assistance.”

Beyond his personal devotion to the cause, what really sets Brian apart is his ability to mobilize others. Within AEP, he has built a growing coalition of volunteer leaders who activate their networks across nearly 6,000 employees in Central Ohio. These grassroots efforts reflect the culture of giving within the company, reinforcing that corporate success is deeply tied to community well-being.

“When you get involved in a cause, you get the positive endorphins that come from helping,” Brian reflects. “And I think you can harness that by getting involved in a hands-on way. When you physically do something, it maximizes that positive influence. We need the financial gifts of course—it’s all crucial—but you can also see so much personal impact when you get to see firsthand how what you’re doing is making a tangible difference, how it’s bettering people’s lives and the community overall.”

Brian’s influence also extends beyond the workplace. His example reminds fellow board members, colleagues and community members that fighting hunger is not someone else’s job—it’s everyone’s responsibility. Through thoughtful leadership and a personal commitment to getting involved in a hands-on way, Brian has become a force multiplier in the movement to end hunger. As Central Ohio continues to face economic challenges, leaders like Brian offer a blueprint for corporate-community partnership.

“There’s a greater need now than ever for people to donate and volunteer,” Brian says. “With recent changes in funding, with less governmental aid, there’s a more urgent call for individuals to get involved. If you’ve ever considered it, now is the time. The need is definitely there.”

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Brian? Find local volunteer opportunities.