Feed Lake County food drive kicks off March 1

Chad Felton, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read

Feb. 28—United Way of Lake County will kick off its 32nd annual "Feed Lake County Food Drive and Fundraiser" March 1, officials with the nonprofit announced this week.

The campaign will run through April.

According to the organization, Mentor-based Buyers Products Co., for the third consecutive year, is supporting the initiative by matching all monetary gifts UWLC receives up to $25,000 through March 31.

"Food insecurity has continued to impact more families, with the cost of food soaring by 25 percent in just four years," said UWLC President and CEO Dione DeMitro. "Many individuals who have never experienced hunger are now finding it challenging to provide meals for themselves and their families.

"Those most affected are within the ALICE threshold, meaning they work hard but still struggle and don't qualify for federal nutrition programs."

ALICE is a term coined by United Way that stands for "Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed."

According to UWLC, one-third of Lake County households — 33 percent — currently struggle to afford basic needs, which includes the 24 percent who fall within the ALICE threshold and the 9 percent who live in poverty.

Based on recent data from Feeding America, 22,740 Lake County residents, 9.8 percent, are estimated to be living with food insecurity, including 5,040 children, equating to 10.8 percent, and 6.5 percent of seniors in Northeast Ohio.

The annual food budget shortfall in Lake County is $16,325,000, officials added.

Additional ways to help

UWLC is encouraging monetary donations as the best way to help. Those in a position to help can donate online at uwlc.org/give, by calling 440-639-1291, or by mailing a check payable to United Way of Lake County to 9285 Progress Parkway, Mentor, OH 44060, ATT: FLC.

To participate in a food or fundraising drive, drop off donations, or make pick-up arrangements, contact Community Impact Manager David Whittaker at 440-639-1203 or dwhittaker@uwlc.org.

Most-needed items include cereal, canned tuna/chicken, juice, pasta and sauce, peanut butter and jelly, canned fruit, shelf-stable milk (powdered), canned corn, soup, and pancake mix and syrup.

The organization is also encouraging a "Philanthropic Pantry Purge" by clearing cabinets and cupboards of excess non-perishable food.

Food collected during the campaign will be distributed to 38 Lake County pantries on an as-needed basis, officials confirmed, adding all monetary gifts will be used to make purchases throughout the year to aid in replenishing the shelves.

Last year, UWLC provided Lake County pantries with nearly $119,000 in food. An additional 19,030 congregate meals were provided to seniors, with 901 cans of formula provided for low-income households.

For more information, visit uwlc.org/feed-lake-county.