CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Chillicothe Beltone is partnering with Good Samaritan Food Pantry for the second annual Hear2End Hunger Food Drive, offering free hearing screenings or $1,000 off premium hearing aids in exchange for non-perishable food donations throughout September. The initiative, part of a nationwide effort involving 400 hearing centers, aims to combat food insecurity while raising awareness about the link between nutrition and hearing health. The campaign, launched in 2024, addresses the growing issue of food insecurity, with 13.5% of U.S. households experiencing food insecurity in 2023, up from 12.8% in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Nutrition plays a critical role in hearing health,” said Brian Atkins, a Beltone hearing care practitioner. Chillicothe Beltone, located at 954 E. Main Street, will serve as a donation drop-off site through Sept. 30.