Together we can combat hunger in area

The new strategic partnership between United Way of Greater Lorain County and Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio is a great benefit to many low-income individuals who are food deprived.

Leaders of the nonprofit groups met with Lorain media July 25 to announce they have forged a relationship to address hunger in the community.

Second Harvest President and CEO Julie Chase-Morefield said her agency is striving to create innovative partnerships to address hunger and harness the power other organizations possess to address the holistic needs of the people it serves.

And the strongest chance to create a better future for families in this community is together; groups working together to accomplish the goal of helping less fortunate residents.

Chase-Morefield and United Way Executive Director Bill Harper both say access to food, affordable housing, income support and utility assistance are the highest needs in Greater Lorain County, but at this time, food assistance has topped the list as the No. 1 unmet need.

That’s why this new relationship is crucial and important to the community.

Both groups already are assisting low-income residents.

For instance, the United Way-led United Community Assistance Network is working to meet the needs of working families who need financial assistance during a short-term crisis situation.

Prior to the launch of UCAN over three years ago, rent and utility assistance was the No. 1 unmet need, according to 211 data.

And Second Harvest provides food and grocery products to 100 food pantries and hot meal and children’s programs in the county.

Through its vast network of partner charities and now through direct distribution, Second Harvest continues to increase the amount of food it distributes and will need to continue to do so in order to meet the rising need.

Unfortunately, one of four children in Lorain County are living in a family that does not have enough to be self-sufficient.

According to data from Map the Meal Gap, 40,310 people are food insecure in greater Lorain County.

Harper said the need to make a greater dent on food insecurity is what brought the groups together.

It’s no secret that with a lack of nutrition, one cannot function properly.

Children can’t concentrate on their studies if they are hungry. Adults have a hard time focusing on their jobs if they don’t have enough food to eat.

United Way and Second Harvest recognized that and are doing something about it.

For some, if you have to give up something to make ends meet, they will choose paying for their medication or paying their utility bills over food.

Chase-Morefield said food is the easiest thing to give up.

Harper adds, “Beyond that as well, all of the results that come from poverty of not having nutritious food to stay healthy, not having children receiving the food and exercise they need to perform good in school, all of the bad things that come later in terms of health issues such as premature death and disability or educational attainment are linked.”

During this collaboration, United Way will match dollarfor-dollar, up to $50,000, donations assigned to Second Harvest through the annual United Way fundraising campaign.

Every dollar raised can provide five meals to those at risk for hunger.

United Way will provide volunteer assistance for Second Harvest’s direct distribution farmer’s markets, and will continue to provide volunteers through its Lorain County Connection partnership with HandsOn Northeast Ohio.

Another highlight of the partnership is United Way determining the feasibility of hosting a food distribution assistance program out of the United Way’s Center for Community Transformation, at 642 Broadway in downtown Lorain, which will open in August.

Both groups feel pretty good about the work they’ve done, but they admit they are not meeting all the needs, because there are great needs in greater Lorain County.

Through this strong partnership, however, they will be on the front lines addressing the food needs.

Chase-Morefield drives home a point that can be used by any nonprofit, any business, any social organization, any school district or any other entity that deals with people.

She said, “One of the things we found is that we have to get over the fact we’re Second Harvest and they’re United Way.

“Together, we have to figure out how to get to the people in the best way possible.”

We couldn’t have said it better.