Emergency food distribution record set

Staff report

Youngstown

The Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley distributed a record 10.4 million pounds of food last year to those in need in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

“We thank the many financial and food donors, volunteers, foundations, corporations, schools, organizations that were instrumental in helping us distribute more than 40,000 pounds of food each day from our warehouse,” said Mike Iberis, food bank executive director.

“Community support is vital to our work, and we are extremely grateful and humbled by the outpouring we receive,” he said.

“Through 148 member agencies, consisting of church pantries, homeless shelters and soup kitchens, shelters for battered women and after school programs, we were able to provide food to families, seniors, children and veterans who do not have enough food,” he added.

Last year’s distribution included more than 3 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables.

“While we are pleased to achieve a milestone in distribution, we are saddened that so many families and seniors have to rely on pantries and soup kitchens for the food they need,” said Iberis. “But we will continue to work to fill the need as long as it exists,” he added.

Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley’s mission is to solicit, store and distribute food to hunger-relief organizations in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties and to provide education and advocacy.

The food bank’s vision is that no one should go hungry, and it is dedicated to building a community that makes food accessible to all.

The organization was founded 34 years ago as the Mahoning Valley Food Bank.

The amount of food distributed by Second Harvest has increased every year for the past 15 years, from 2 million pounds in 2000 to 10.4 million pounds last year, with 9.6 million pounds having been distributed in 2014.

“The demand has been growing over the years,” and food distribution from Second Harvest has been increasing to meet that demand, Iberis said.

“The economics in our valley has necessitated that more people are seeking emergency assistance,” including food assistance, Iberis said.

Financial hardships due to unemployment, underemployment and illnesses are all contributors to the demand for emergency food, he explained.

Many people served by the food bank’s member agencies are working poor people with part-time, low-wage jobs, he said.