Ford plant makes donation to Second Harvest

A nonprofit committed to fighting hunger and helping the community received a donation of over $9,000.

Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake donated $9,275 to Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio on June 23.

“We are glad to have Ford as new partner to help us feed people,” said Susan Bartosch, director of external affairs.

The plant was looking for positive fundraisers and because of work in the past with Second Harvest, it chose the regional nonprofit, according to Sabrina Nicholson, material control manager at Ohio Assembly Plant.

“I have worked with them before and wanted to rekindle that connection,” Nicholson said. “We have given donations to Second Harvest before, but never anything on this scale.”

The plant was looking to raise $3,000, but brought in an extra $6,275.

“We raised the money in three weeks and we were so surprised at how well it turned out,” Nicholson said.

Donations came from both

UAW and salary employees, she said.

The donation has helped Second Harvest come close to reaching its goal of providing 1 million meals for its program Harvest for Hunger, Bartosch said.

“For every $1 donated we can provide four meals to those at risk for hunger and this has brought us so close,” she said.

Kacy Porter, food resource coordinator, said it’s incredible that it can provide about 1 million meals to those in need.

Working together with a vast network to acquire, gather, and distribute nutritious food, Second Harvest helps feed tens of thousands of people throughout Crawford, Erie, Huron and Lorain counties.

It connects people at risk for hunger to fresh, healthy, and nutritious foods.

Second Harvest works with local farms and retailers to provide fresh produce and meats to our Farmer’s Markets, mobile pantries, and network of over 100 local partner charities.

Harvest for Hunger is an annual communitywide campaign that raises food and funds to stock food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters throughout Crawford, Erie, Huron and Lorain counties.