Ohio food banks team up for annual Harvest for Hunger campaign amid coronavirus

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Harvest for Hunger begins its 30th annual 21-county food collection campaign virtually on Feb. 17 amid an ongoing pandemic that’s resulting in unprecedented levels of need among Ohioans.

The campaign is a joint effort of four central food banks, including the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, the Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio, the Second Harvest Foodbank of Mahoning Valley, and coordinated by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

Money raised through Harvest for Hunger provides food to hundreds of hot meal sites, food pantries, shelters, and other non-profit agencies throughout Northeast Ohio. The program not only plays a critical role for local food pantries and shelters but, more importantly, the individuals they serve.

The pandemic increased the need for help from food banks. Cleveland Food Bank spokeswoman said Karen Pozna in announcing the Harvest for Hunger food drive that her agency served a record 404,000 in 2020 during the pandemic, doubling the number of families seeking help in 2019. Many of them were children and senior citizens.

“Those turning to food programs are making tough choices and trade-offs to keep food on the table,” she said. “Every dollar donated through the campaign can help provide enough food for four nutritious meals.”

Families across the Midwest are receiving help from all over, from food banks and companies like retailer Meijer. The Greater Cleveland Foodbank received over 6,000 frozen turkeys donated by Meijer Feb. 4, part of the company’s $1 million turkey donation series to 10 food banks within its footprint to help feed those in need.

In total, Meijer plans to donate 50,000 frozen turkeys (Meijer and Honeysuckle) to 10 Midwestern food bank organizations, including:

· Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana in Fort Wayne

· Dare to Care in Louisville

· Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin in Milwaukee

· Food Bank of Northern Indiana in South Bend

· Forgotten Harvest in Oak Park, Mich.

· Gleaners Detroit

· Gleaners Indianapolis

· Greater Cleveland Food Bank

· Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee

· Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva

Cleveland Browns Guard Joel Bitonio and team mascot Chomps attended the turkey giveaway at the Muni Lot, helping volunteers distribute food.

Volunteers delivered the turkeys to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and immediately loaded them into the food bank’s clients’ vehicles.

“While progress is being made against the pandemic, we understand the impact it’s made remains a challenge for many people,” Meijer President & CEO Rick Keyes said in a recent news release. “Meijer cares about our communities, and we wanted to do our part to help those in need. We appreciate the partnership with the Cleveland Browns to help ensure the Greater Cleveland Food Bank has what it needs to serve the community.”

In addition to turkey donations, Meijer donated more than $7.6 million during the holiday season with its Simply Give program to feed hungry families across the Midwest.

At least 200 people are expected to tune into the Harvest Hunger event via Zoom this year. You can RSVP for the event here.

Speakers for the event will include Bill Lacey, President, & CEO, GE, a Savant company, and Sean Richardson, Regional President, Cleveland, the 2021 Harvest for Hunger campaign co-chairs. Huntington will also be in attendance to kick off the campaign with Kristin Warzocha, President & CEO, Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and Metro Health’s Janet Montoya. There will also be pre-recorded messages from County Executive Armond Budish and Mayor Frank Jackson, City of Cleveland, and the honorary co-chairs.