Lorain Salvation Army runs annual canned food drive

The Salvation Army, 2506 Broadway in Lorain, has kicked off its annual canned food drive in partnership with Lorain City Schools.

Parents, students and residents may drop off nonperishable goods to any school in the district until Dec. 14 to provide food to the food pantry at the Salvation Army.

Participating thus far include: Admiral King Elementary, 720 Washington Ave.; Steven Dohanos Elementary, 1625 E. 32nd St.; Palm Elementary, 2319 E. 34th St.; Garfield Elementary, 200 W. 31st St.; Hawthorne Elementary, 610 W. 20th St.; Larkmoor Elementary, 1201 Nebraska Ave.; and Lorain High School, 2600 Ashland Ave.

“It’s so critical to us because there’s a lot of layoffs during the winter months, and people have seasonal jobs, and also because kids are out for break,” said Cassandra Marr, family service worker the Salvation Army. “Although some people are working, food is always short.”

Marr said some people may say they paid their bills, but now they need to get some food.

The schools compete each year to see which one can collect the most food per pound, she said.

This year, the winning school will have a pizza

party organized by the Salvation Army and will be presented with a traveling trophy.

Salvation Army corps officer Lt. Jimmy Susa said the average weight of food collected from the schools is 8,000 pounds.

The goal this year is 20,000 pounds, Susa said.

Although the food pantry will take any nonperishable food from apple sauce to canned fruit, Susa and Marr said they always are looking for healthier, more sustainable items to make

for wholesome meals.

“We go more for what is in your heart, what people want to give,” Susa said. “Of course, we want to give vegetables and greens, we want to give fruits and less sweets.”

As many as 400 boxes and barrels given to the schools for collecting food were decorated by supportive staff from the Open Door Christian School, 8287 W. Ridge Road in Elyria, Marr said.

She said the food drive is vital to keeping the pantry’s

food supply up throughout the winter months, which sees between 30 to 70 clients a day.

“The only time our numbers seem to be a bit low, is at the beginning of the month because we serve a lot of disabled people who are on basic income and usually paying bills that week,” she said. “After that, it’s nonstop.”

The food pantry is open from 9-11 a.m., Monday through Friday, and supplies a hefty grocery bag of food for each client every 30 days, Marr said.

JORDANA JOY — MORNING JOURNAL Salvation Army family service worker Cassandra Marr, right, and corps officer Lt. Melissa Susa are in the food pantry at 2506 Broadway Ave. in Lorain.