ONA District 3 donates funds, time to help Second Harvest

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Nurses from the Ohio Nurses Association District 3 have decided to use National Nurses Week as a reason to give back.

Several nurses from the professional organization went to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley on Tuesday to donate $1,000 and their time.

“Our nurses like to give back to the community,” said Linda Warino, executive director of ONA District 3.

ONA District 3 is composed of 800 nurses who work in the tri-county area. The nurses support and advocate for all nurses.

National Nurses Week begins each year May 6 and ends May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing.

“We choose to celebrate by giving back,” Warino said.

ONA District 3 has given back to Second Harvest for the past decade. The district raised the $1,000 by selling pins.

“We think [Second Harvest] does a great job,” Warino said.

Mike Iberis, executive director of Second Harvest in the Mahoning Valley, said the organization helps feed 15,000 people in one week at 150 food charity locations throughout the tri-county area.

“Volunteerism is important,” he said. “People come in and they become aware of the hunger issue. That’s going to go a long way in feeding a lot of people.”