United Way of Lake County distributes food to pantries

A total of 51 local food banks have benefited from United Way of Lake County’s distribution of 75,277 pounds of food.

The food was donated by the community during UWLC’s 26th Annual Feed Lake County fundraiser and food drive, which ran from March 1 to April 30.

Employees of Moving Ahead Services volunteered their time to help load boxes of food into cars and trucks from UWLC’s temporary warehouse, soon to be home to Hobby Lobby, outside the Great Lakes Mall in the back of Office Max.

The nonprofit organization runs the program every spring. Lake County companies and organizations participate by running drives to raise food and funds to help feed the community’s hungry. While the food from this year’s drive was distributed May 9, the organization said money raised will be used later this year to purchase additional food to restock pantries in the county.

“We are passionate about fighting hunger in Lake County, where one in eight residents live with food insecurity,” said UWLC President and CEO Jennifer McCarty. “The success of our food drive is a testament to our community’s generosity and compassion for one another.”

According to UWLC:

• The 75,277 pounds of food is enough to provided 62,731 meals to residents in need, a 10 percent increase over the 68,250 pounds of food collected last year, and nearly triple the amount donated in 2016.

• A sum of $39,548 was raised by businesses, organizations and residents who participated in this year’s Feed Lake County programs. The funds are enough to provide an additional 158,192 meals. A total of 160 businesses, agencies and organizations throughout the county ran food drives.

• United Way of Lake County’s Young Leaders also raised about $12,000 of the total funds from the over 40 local restaurants that participated in the April 10 Dine-to-Donate fundraiser.

• The combined total of food and funds raised year-to-date is enough to provide 220,923 meals, a 14 percent increase over 2017. The number is expected to continue to grow as donations come in through the end of the year.

“Our local businesses, organizations and residents came together in a big way to take care of our own,” said Jodi Matsko, UWLC resource development manager and coordinator of the Feed Lake County program. “I’m so thankful to live and work in a community that cares so deeply for one another.”

Marous Brothers Construction, based in Willoughby, donated about 10,000 pounds of food, the release stated, the greatest amount collected from a single organization.

“We’re grateful to be able to support the efforts of United Way of Lake County’s food drive and are proud of our employees who show tremendous compassion and teamwork in giving to Feed Lake County and other organizations that make a positive impact on our communities, especially our neighbors who find themselves in need,” said Chip Marous, the company’s president.

Students from Mentor High School collected the second largest amount, donating 7,315 pounds.

Tami Lewis, UWLC’s director of marketing and communications, said more than 28,000 residents in Lake County live with food insecurity.

“Inquiries for food assistance rank No. 1 among all inquiries received by Lifeline’s 2-1-1 help hotline,” she said. “Last year, a total of 9,341 inquiries for food assistance were received, and about 990 volunteer hours went into collecting and sorting food in preparation for today’s distribution.

“It takes a village to make a food drive of this magnitude happen and we are thankful for each and every person who either donated or contributed their time and effort to impact lives.”

Food distributed included the most requested items. Pantries received boxed and canned meals like mac and cheese and tuna helper; canned meats; pasta and pizza sauce; peanut butter and jelly; rice; cereal; canned fruit and vegetables; and canned soup and stew.

United Way of Lake County will continue to accept food and monetary donations throughout the year.

For additional information, contact Jodi Matsko at 440-639-1236.