The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Grab and Go
Church, businesses team up to provide free lunches
Free “Grab and Go Lunches for Children and Students” are being provided for Willowick residents.
During the first session which took place March 30, no registration or documentation was needed, and two lunches per child were provided in front of Willow Praise Church.
Their meals included a host of choices like a lunch meat sandwich, fruit, raisins, chips, and even a cookie.
In a matter of days with the help of Willowick Councilman Mike Zuren and in cooperation with a host franchises and non-profit organizations like Panera Bread of Willoughby, Willow Praise Church and Cleveland Food Bank, they were expected to give more than 500 lunches away.
“There are six businesses involved like Walmart and Panera, Original Steaks and Hoagies, donated a whole bunch of stuff,” Zuren said. “We’re going to do this every Monday through April, so for four more weeks and if somebody needs some lunch, we’ll have two lunches per child in a household, no questions asked.”
Zuren spoke about what led to the inspiration of making the lunches for residents.
He noted that due to the novel coronavirus pandemic many residents are having a hard time trying to feed their families.
“The need is due to unemployment,” he said. “With 3 million people being unemployed it is hitting people hard. People have lost their jobs and have to feed their kids.”
Zuren said he believed this would be a great way to reach out to the community since in times like this residents want to feel some normalcy.
“It does a lot to help the community help people recover and get back some sense of normalcy,” he said. “A lot is happening, and there is a great need. People have lost their jobs, and kids are at home, they can’t get lunches through the schools.
“Hopefully it helps them through this tough time.”
John Long, manager at Walmart, noted why he felt it necessary to get involved in this endeavor. He spoke about the importance of focusing on coming together in a time like this.
“We always want to be part of the community, so any way we can reach out, we have grants and other things we do for the community, things like volunteering, etc.”