Second Harvest hosts annual fundraiser

The halls of Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio were filled not only with food, but also people on Sept. 24, for the 12th annual Generous Helpings fundraiser.

This was the third year the event was held at their 5510 Baumhart Road, in Lorain, facility, and this year drew more than 450 people, according to Susan Bartosch, the food bank’s director of external affairs.

According to Bartosch, the fundraiser is the biggest one they hold each year, bringing in an average of $85,000 in donations.

“It’s a chance to get our friends, and our donors and the

community in general here into our warehouse,” she said. “A lot of it is to thank them for their help and support, but it’s also to come in and look around and see the food in the racks, and the forklifts and trucks and remind them of what we do here.”

The tasting event featured food from 21 venders in northeast Ohio, as well as live music supplied by The Swamp Boogie Band, various raffles and a silent auction.

According to Bartosch, all the money raised by the event will be used to feed the hungry in the area.

“(This) is the one time that we can invite people in that we work with all the time, or not at all, so they literally come in and see what we do in here,”Bartosch explained. “We provide food to the pantries, the soup kitchens and the shelters, so they may end up seeing them at their local church, or SalvationArmy or whatever, but we’re the middle

guys. We’re the ones who give them their food to serve to everybody.”

Lorain County Commissioner Ted Kalo was on hand snacking on what appeared to be a savory pastry. He would not name his favorite delicacy offered at the event but remarked on the importance of the event.

“All the restaurants come out and show what they can do for a needed organization,” he said between bites. “Second Harvest Food Bank is hoping someday it will put itself out of business, because nobody’s ever hungry.”

Oberlin City Council President Ronnie Rimbert was also in attendance enjoying a plate of red potatoes and beef when he spoke to The Morning Journal. He said in these troubled times, an organization like Second Harvest is needed.

“It doesn’t just support some of the community, it supports the entire community, and that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “As we move forward with everything going on in the world we need more support for one another.”