A Note from Julie

Every day, countless challenges compete for our attention. It can feel overwhelming, sometimes even unsolvable. But hunger is different. Hunger has a clear solution: food. Ensuring access to nutritious food is the work our team at Second Harvest commits to every single day. As we turn the calendar to September, we enter Hunger Action Month — a time to reflect on and renew our commitment to ensuring every neighbor has the food they need to thrive. It’s also a time to take action through volunteering, advocacy, and donations of food and funds. Each month, we host 6–10 mobile pantries, and across our region we partner with 82 organizations in Lorain County, 16 in Erie County, 18 in Huron County, and 9 in Crawford County. Yet we know there are still neighbors who can’t access the food they need —whether due to limited transportation, demanding schedules, or medical challenges. That’s why Second Harvest is focused on closing the “Last Mile” of food access by:

• Expanding our senior home delivery program, especially in rural communities, to reach 500 monthly deliveries
• Partnering with four healthcare systems to launch new on-site food pantries
• Collaborating with 13 school districts to offer on-site or drive-through pantries

These efforts bring us closer to a community where no one has to wonder where their next meal will come from. But meeting people where they are and ensuring there is enough food for every neighbor in need requires all of us. A great way to be a part of the effort is to join us at Generous Helpings on September 27 as we celebrate the progress we’ve made and raise the funds needed to continue our mission — to grow hope in our region by creating pathways to nutritious food! Your support matters. Whether you volunteer, donate, or share our mission with others, you help create real, lasting change.