Foundation grants $250K to food bank

On response to the novel coronavirus pandemic and need for food during this health crisis, the Community Foundation of Lorain County is providing $250,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio.

Second Harvest is preparing to address the substantially increased food supply need that will continue through the weeks and (likely) months ahead, according to a news release from the Community Foundation.

This need is driven by many factors, including school closures, job disruptions, lack of paid sick leave and COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on seniors, schoolage children and families, the release said.

“Second Harvest’s mission is to grow hope by creating pathways to nutritious food, and we have never been more committed,” said Julie Chase-Morefield, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio in the release. “The rallying of support and generosity from the Community Foundation of Lorain County, volunteers, schools and all of our program partners is ensuring our community will have a steady food supply.”

Community is the priority at the Community Foundation, according to the release.

The safety and well-being of the community members, employees, families and friends is important to the foundation.

Those caring factors form the lens through which the Community Foundation has always viewed as its practice over the last 40 years, living out its mission: Connecting People Who Care with Causes That Matter, the release said.

“During this challenging time, we lift our nonprofit partners,” said Cynthia H. Andrews, president and CEO of Community Foundation of Lorain County. “We acknowledge the people and organizations working on the front lines of the outbreak.

“This $250,000 grant will provide critically needed food resources for Lorain County food pantries. We were thrilled to share this grant news with Julie Chase-Morefield, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio.

“Our Board unanimously voted to award this grant that was made possible through the exceptional generosity of an anonymous donor.”

ZACHARY SRNIS — THE MORNING JOURNAL FILE Elected officials and their representatives packed food Dec. 13 for those in need during The Elected Officials Service Event at Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio.