Food bank distributed record number of food in 2017

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley distributed a record 10.6 million pounds of food in 2017 to people in need in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

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

“In addition to providing food through 148 member agencies, mobile pantries and backpack programs, we now have 11 school pantries operating in 10 school districts allowing children to take food home each day and several school districts delivering food to students in need,” Iberis added.

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

The food bank’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.

For information about Second Harvest, visit www.mahoningvalleysecondharvest.org.