United Way of Lake County Distributes Food to Local Pantries Early

Usually the waits until the third week of September to distribute food to local pantries.

However, this year the pantries could not wait, United Way employee Gayle Sikula said.

"We moved it up because pantries were calling, saying they were in need of food," she said.

The local chapter distributed more than $9,000 worth of food to 51 local food pantries, including 10 in Mentor, on Wednesday.

The donated food consisted of staples – peanut butter, jelly, tuna, noodles, spaghetti sauce, fruit cocktails and fruit juice.

The United Way of Lake County paid for it with donations collected during the .

Overall, the 2011 Feed Lake County Campaign raised approximately 45,500 pounds of food and $60,000 in cash. Cash donations to Feed Lake County are used throughout the year to make purchases for the
food pantries in September, November and December.

“We gave out food to 132 different families just last month,” said Francine Vitale of Eastlake Area Kiwanis Food Pantry. “We get numerous calls every week from families saying they are out of food. United Way of Lake County is doing a phenomenal job of distributing food to the pantries and we really count on them for help.”

The food pantries continue to see an increase in numbers, Sikula said. Last year, more than 6,000 people used the food pantry system and between 700 and 1,100 residents needed help on a weekly basis. These food pantries report they are seeing 10 to 20 new visitors each week. Many first-time social service clients are 40 to 50 years old, have lost their jobs, exhausted their benefits and are looking desperately for somewhere to turn.

The United Way accepts donations year round of both food and money. Those who wish to donate to Feed Lake County can call 440-639-1082.