Second Harvest Food Bank nets Dollar General funds
Mahoning County Auditor Ralph Meacham announced this week that Second Harvest Food Bank has received Mahoning County’s share of the Family Dollar settlement over pricing irregularities.
Mahoning County’s piece of the $400,000 settlement was $7,691.25.
After receiving consumer complaints from the weights and measures departments of multiple counties, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost took Dollar General to court in November 2022 for allegedly advertising goods for one price and charging a higher price at the register.
After similar complaints, auditor inspectors found Family Dollar was displaying prices on store shelves for certain items but charging higher prices at its registers.
Of the $400,000 settlement, $250,000 was set aside for food banks to purchase and distribute food and personal-care items. The auditor of each of Ohio’s 88 counties was charged with selecting the beneficiary.
“Our county auditors play a vital role in making sure that retailers operating in Ohio have fair and honest pricing,” Yost said. “That’s why we’re partnering with the auditors and channeling settlements dollars back into our communities.”
Meacham said he chose Second Harvest Food Bank because, as a provider to 161 local partner agencies, it can stretch the money to make a difference for residents throughout Mahoning County.
“Second Harvest Food Bank helps so many people in our county, and I am thrilled to award this money to such an amazing organization,” Meacham said.