The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
PANTRY NEAR HOMES
Elected officials package food for school pantries to serve neighborhoods
Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio invited local elected officials and representatives Dec. 17 to its facility at 5510 Baumhart Road in Lorain to package food for students and families in need.
“The food goes to our School Pantry Program, providing food to local schools,” sad Susan Bartosch, director of external affairs for Second Harvest. “We have local officials, and representatives for those who couldn’t make it, here to package food being sent to our local schools.” Bartosch praised the turn out. “We have a good representation of government officials working the assembly line here, placing different items in a box and preparing to send them off,” she said.
“Anybody in the neighborhood can come by to be served.”
— Susan Bartosch, director of external affairs for Second Harvest
“We have mayors of surrounding cities, local councilmen and individuals here representing U.S. Congressman Bob Gibbs, Marcy Kaptur and U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown,” she said. “We really have a good mix of officials here all coming together for the one goal of providing food for those who need it.”
Bartosch said it’s important to have elected officials participate in this event.
“So much of what we do is dependent on legislation,” she said. “It’s kind of good for those who make the decisions to see firsthand how it goes into effect.”
The food is not limited to those who attend area schools, Bartosch said.
“The school is essentially a pantry and will serve as kind of a central hub for the community,” she said. “Anybody in the neighborhood can come by to be served.
“We resupply this once a month, and it typically feeds 100 families.”
Julie Chase-Morefield, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, said the event always is a great one to host.
“It’s excellent to have these legislators participating,” Chase-Morefield said. “It’s nice to see, and their efforts immediately go to help those in need.”
South Amherst Mayor Dave Leshinski said he was more than happy to help with packaging the food.
“Hunger is such an issue, and it affects us locally more than people think,” Leshinski said. “It’s good to help out.”
Grafton Village Mayor Dave DiVencenzo said he has seen the impact Second Harvest makes on individuals and families.
“During my time in office, I’ve seen how three different pantries in the Grafton area have benefited from Second Harvest,” DiVencenzo said. “I like to come out to see it firsthand and help out.”