Harvest for Hunger feeds Valley’s needy

The goals this year are $88,000 and 55,000 pounds of food.

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Many people would be surprised at who is hungry. It could be the person sitting next to them in church or in the classroom.

Feeding hungry people is what the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley and its annual Harvest for Hunger is all about, said Rebecca Martinez, director of resource development for the food bank.

In 2006, the number of elderly visiting food pantries in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties increased 9 percent over the previous year. There are 23,960 children in the tri-county area who live in poverty, Martinez said Friday at the kickoff of the food bank’s monthlong 2008 Harvest for Hunger in March.

The Harvest for Hunger also helps the food bank prepare for the summer months when donations are traditionally lower, said Peter Duran, president of the Second Harvest Board of Trustees.

Another problem in the summer is that children are on vacation from school and miss what for many is their main meal of the day through the free and reduced-cost lunch program at school, Martinez said.

“We’re here to help people in our community who are hungry. All of the money and food collected stays here,” said Duran, vice president and regional manager for Charter One Bank.

Without the Second Harvest staff, businesses, agencies and volunteers, this would not happen, said Laurie Lehosky of WFMJ-TV 21.

“Hunger has no boundaries,” she said.

In March 2007, local companies, organizations and individuals raised $86,000 and collected 45,000 pounds of food during the Harvest for Hunger. The goals this year are $88,000 and 55,000 pounds of food.

Anyone interested in conducting a food drive or fundraiser to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank can contact Becky Miller, Second Harvest events coordinator, at (330) 792-5522 ext. 20.

Individuals who want to donate can do so at any local Giant Eagle grocery story. Just look for the tear-off coupons at the register and the collection bin in the front of the store, Miller said.

The Vindicator, one of several media sponsors, will have an insert in Sunday’s paper that looks like a grocery bag and has information on how to donate online, or where to mail a check of money order. Also, the paper will publish coupons during the month containing similar information.

Representatives of other media sponsors will participate in “celebrity grocery bagging” at Giant Eagle stores during the month.

Other fund-raising events will include a basketball game on March 14 at Lordstown High School pitting the Lordstown schools staff against the Lordstown government officials and employees.

“The basketball game was good for Second Harvest and helped bond the community,” said A.J. Calderone, high school principal.

Items most needed include canned vegetables, tuna fish, canned meats, peanut butter and cereal. Second Harvest Backpack Program needs include pop-top cans, microwaveable meals, fruit cups, snack crackers and juice boxes. The Backpack Program allows 150 children in Campbell schools and 150 in Warren schools to take home food on the weekend, when they don’t get meals at school.

Harvest for Hunger 2008 sponsors include Giant Eagle, 21 WFMJ & WBCB, The Vindicator, K-105 and Y-103, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 880 and Time Warner Cable.

Donations of food or money can also be dropped off at Second Harvest Food Bank, 2805 Salt Springs Road, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; or other arrangements can be made by calling (330) 792-5522 Ext. 20.

alcorn@vindy.com