United Way of Lake County Distributes 18,605 lbs. of Food Today to Nearly 50 Food Pantries for the Holidays
December 11, 2018 – Mentor, OH – United Way of Lake County (UWLC) distributed 18,605 pounds of food today to nearly 50 Lake County food pantries. The food was purchased from funds donated during their annual spring Feed Lake County Food Drive and Fundraiser.
A total of 1 in 8 Lake County residents live with food insecurity and Inquiries for food rank number one among all inquiries received at Lifeline’s 2-1-1 help hotline and website. Year-to-date inquiries for food are up 14% over last year.
“Due to the opioid crisis, more and more seniors have become the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. And because they live on limited incomes, the food pantries have seen a rise in the number of seniors looking for help to make ends meet and feed their families,” said Tami Lewis, UWLC Director of Marketing and Communications.
Food distributed today included pasta, pasta sauce, mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, canned tuna, cream of mushroom soup, canned ravioli, green beans, peas, corn, kidney beans, canned fruit, apple sauce, cereal, pancake mix, syrup and apple juice.
Volunteers from Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers’ Lake House were on hand to help load food into the cars and trucks of each food pantry from UWLC’s office at 9285 Progress Parkway in Mentor.
Last year, UWLC provided local food banks with enough food for nearly 205,000 meals to help feed Lake County’s hungry and are on track to provide over 230,000 meals this year. They also helped provide over 28,000 congregate meals to help feed Lake County seniors and formula was provided for 284 babies from low-income households.
According to UWLC President & CEO Jennifer McCarty, “We are focused on fighting hunger in Lake County, where 28,410 residents live with food insecurity. Our ability to help support our community’s food pantries speaks volumes about the generosity of our residents and organizations.”
“Every dollar donated is enough to provide 4 meals, which means a $10 donation will help provide 40 meals to those suffering from hunger. If you are in a position to help this holiday, please visit us online at uwlc.org/give,” said Tami Lewis, UWLC’s Director of Marketing and Communications.
United Way of Lake County accepts food and monetary donations year-round. Food donations can be dropped off at their offices in Mentor at 9285 Progress Parkway or you may call 440-639-1236 to arrange for a pick up. You may also give online at www.uwlc.org/give.