United Way kicks off annual food drive

United Way of Lake County recently kicked off its Feed Lake County food drive, the organization’s annual spring fundraising program marking its 27th year.

The event will run through April 30. UWLC is reaching out to organizations and residents for help setting up, and running, food drives and fundraisers for this cause.

Calls for help from those suffering from hunger rank No. 1 among all inquiries received at Lifeline’s 2-1-1 information referral helpline. Last year, the community action agency received 8,520 incoming inquiries for food assistance.

ALICE, a United Way acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, are households that earn more than the federal poverty level, but less than the basic cost of living — the ALICE Threshold.

The number of poverty and ALICE households combined equals the total population struggling to afford basic needs, including food, the organization confirmed.

In Lake County, eight percent of 96,655 households live in poverty, while 23 percent fall into the ALICE category. Combined, the number of poverty and ALICE households struggling to afford basic needs totals 29,963, nearly onethird of all Lake County households.

“ALICE represents the men and women who get up each day to go to work but still struggle to afford life’s basic necessities,” said Tami Lewis, UWLC director of marketing and communications.

“These are the people who live paycheck to paycheck without a savings to fall back on, and when an unexpected expense occurs, like the need to replace a water heater, or medical care, this takes an enormous toll on their ability stay afloat,” Lewis said. “Residents in these situations are forced to ask themselves if the day’s priority is paying for needed household repairs, putting food on the table for their families or filling their cars with gas to get to work.”

Due to the number of people struggling, UWLC is running an incentive to help encourage monetary donations. For every $5 donated, those who give will receive one contest entry for a chance to win a 55inch LG Smart TV. Every $5 donated is enough to provide 20 meals.

Donors who contribute $10 will receive two contest entries while providing enough food for 40 meals. Those who contribute $25 will receive five contest entries while providing enough food for 100 meals.

The winner will be selected on or about May 16.

The food and funds collected from the Feed Lake County drive allow UWLC to help support about 50 local food pantries who distribute to Lake County residents in need. The money collected during Feed Lake County will be used to make food purchases throughout 2019 to help restock the food pantries later in the year.

The most requested food items include boxed or canned meals like mac and cheese and tuna helper; canned meats like tuna, chicken and spam; pasta and pasta sauce; peanut butter and jelly; cereal; canned fruit and vegetables; and canned soup and stew.

Other needed items include baby food/formula and personal hygiene products, such as paper towels, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap and deodorant.

“Due to the generosity of our community, we were able to provide Lake County food pantries with enough food for 230,427 meals last year to help feed our hungry,” said UWLC President and CEO Jennifer McCarty.

“Based on the number of households that live at or below the ALICE threshold, I would like to make a heartfelt plea for residents to continue to join us in our fight against hunger,” she added. “A small $5 donation means the world to someone in need and contributions can easily be made online at www. uwlc.org/feed.”