The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Kareem Hunt Jr. lends a hand for local food bank
In the freshly salted and plowed parking lot of Black River Landing in downtown Lorain, over 100 cars gathered Feb. 18 to receive food from Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio.
With a line packed to the brink, Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt Jr., 25, prepared to distribute to those in need.
An Elyria native, Hunt said he was excited to join Second Harvest and give back to the community; he graduated from Willoughby South High School before playing for the University of Toledo Rockets.
“I’m from around here,” he said. “I’m born and raised here, and I’ve seen what needs to be done.”
During the 2020 football season, Hunt said he constantly was thinking about ways to give back and engage with his hometown community.
“I couldn’t really do much during the season,” he said. “But, I knew that once the season ended, I’d be able to help out, and I needed to figure out something to do.”
Hunt said part of his desire to help so many people was due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“I know that so many many people are suffering,” he said. “A lot of people are out of jobs and it means a lot to me to be able to help others and do all that I can do to help.”
Hunt brought out his family to help distribute food as well.
His parents, cousins and friends all volunteered to help support Hunt.
“Hopefully, I’ll be able to come out and do more of these,” Hunt said. “Maybe I can do this once a month.”
As Hunt loaded pet food, meat and fruit into the vehicles of those in need, a woman shouted from her car in support of Hunt and the Browns.
A smile that reached his eyes was showing from underneath his mask.
“That’s amazing,” he said.
“This support is amazing.”
Hunt waved to the woman, said thank you and that he was excited for next season.
The smile never left his face even as he went on to put food into the trunks of the vehicles.