With its Feed Lake County food drive finished, the United Way of Lake County started distributing more than 38,000 pounds of food it collected on Monday.

Fifty-one food banks and churches in Lake County, 11 of which are in Mentor, receive food from the local chapter of United Way.

Those food banks started arriving at the United Way's collection center next to the Great Harvest Bread Company Monday morning. They will continue picking up donations today.

They, in turn, give the food to families in the community that need it.

In addition to collecting 38,000 pounds of food, the United Way also received $30,000 in donations for Feed Lake County. That money will be used to buy more food that will be given to those who need it.

Despite the county's generosity, Feed Lake County ultimately collected less food than last year. In 2010, people donated more than 45,000 pounds of food and $57,000.

Last year, more than 6,000 people used the food pantry system in Lake County and 700 to 1,100 residents needed help on a weekly basis, according to the United Way of Lake County. These pantries also said they got between 10 and 20 new visitors each week.

United Way of Lake County employee Hope Swank wanted to thank everyone who participated in Feed Lake County.

"I want to thank everyone who donated or who volunteered because this is not easy work," she said. "It takes a lot of muscle."