Food distribution at Sheffield-Sheffield Lake Schools celebrates anniversary

SHEFFIELD — Volunteers celebrated the first anniversary of a monthly food distribution at Sheffield-Sheffield Lake Schools on Wednesday afternoon with pizza and cake. Originally held at Forestlawn Early Learning Center in Sheffield Lake, the partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio was eventually moved to Brookside High School as the pandemic caused greater numbers of people to need assistance. District social worker Andrew Smith said 725 households were served in November compared with 50 in the first month of December 2019. He said Second Harvest approached the district after a service gap was identified in northeast Lorain County. "It's one of those things where it's a mix of emotions," Smith said. "(It is) very rewarding in that we are able to provide a service to the entire community regardless of whether you have students or not or you live in Sheffield or Sheffield Lake." Food is provided by Second Harvest while the district supplies volunteers from its staff and school board members. The distribution is held 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Those who arrive after 5:30 p.m. may still be able to receive food. Eligibility is determined by income, with those earning 230 percent of the federal poverty level being eligible, based on the honor system. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.