When Brookside Schools came on board as a Mobile School Distribution site in late 2019, Second Harvest was serving 50 families per month in the school gym at Forest Lawn Elementary. The energetic and passionate school staff was eager to help, and we knew that we could have an impact in that pocket of Lorain County.
As a reliable partner, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio is partnering with Second Harvest to offer food and supplies to people in need throughout our region. Their team is offering needed items like toilet paper, first aid kits, hand sanitizer, and pill containers. While people are waiting in line to register during our drive-thru distributions, Anthem team members are able to offer these much-needed items, a cheery hello, and even answer questions they many have about their coverage.
As an outcome of our 2019 Child Hunger Summit, during the innovative programs segment, a critical tactic identified was to create a county-wide food advisory council. Since late 2019 we have been working through the concept, but it was put on-hold at times due to the pandemic response.
On September 26, we will be celebrating our sixteenth annual Generous Helpings event. It has been so long since we’ve been able to gather together and we miss you! So much has happened since we last enjoyed the event live and in-person in 2019. It is time to catch up!
We are so grateful for the Ohio National Guard soldiers and airmen who served with us since late March 2020 through July 2, 2021. Because of their help, so many families got the food they needed. Since they arrived, through May 31,2021, they packed 76,000 senior and pantry boxes. We will forever be grateful for their help, friendship and support. Though it was sad to see the group leave, several are now in the fold. Members of the Ohio National Guard took on full-time staff positions at Second Harvest after their deployment. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Coykendall and Army Specialist Aaron Gonzalez are now drivers for Second Harvest. Sergeant Heidi Wolfe is our new Mobile Distribution Coordinator under Program and Partner Services and Corporal Michael Patterson is working in facility maintenance. Thank you and welcome!
