United Way Kicks Off 'Feed Lake County' With Some Can-Do

Three sculptures made of canned vegetables, boxed pasta and other nonperishable foods stand in the concourse by the in .

But the tulip, Easter egg and lighthouse aren't just intimations of spring. It's a reminder that the annual food drive has kicked off once again.

Three local businesses -- Marous Brothers, Winter Equipment and Avery Dennison -- donated 4,533 pounds of food to the drive. Then they used them to build the food structures that are in the mall.

The works of art (and charity) will stand as reminders until the end of month.

More than 45 companies have already signed to hold their own food drives, United Way of Lake County President Deborah Foley said.

The charity's goal is to raise more than $60,000 and get 60,000 pounds of food for local pantries.

"Every can of food goes to the table of someone who needs it and every dollar goes to the purchase of food," Foley said. "We buy food when the pantries are hurting."

Feed Lake County provides food to more than 6,000 people who use 52 food pantries across the county. Anyone who would like to conduct a food drive can call Rich Thiedemann 440-639-1153 or e-mail him at rthiedemann@uwlc.org.

Last year, businesses, organizations and individuals combined to collect more than 45,000 pounds of food and $60,000 in money to purchase food.