Second Harvest campaign to kick off Thursday

The need for the work done by food banks like Second Harvest of North Central Ohio is as dire as ever. And President and CEO Julie Chase-Morefield has that at the forefront of her mind as the food bank kicks off its annual Harvest for Hunger campaign, which provides for one-third of the food distributed by the food bank throughout the year. A study last year revealed that two out of three people in the four-county area served by the food bank -- Lorain, Huron, Crawford and Erie counties, with a total population around 500,000 -- have had to skip meals as other expenses loomed. In Lorain County, it's estimated that nearly 15 percent of the population is food insecure, not necessarily knowing where their next meal is coming from. "If your choice is getting food or having enough gas to get to work, then you're probably picking your job," she said. The goal is to raise enough money to provide 3.6 million meals to help restock 160 food pantries, meal programs and shelters in the four-county area. Last year's drive raised enough money for 3.5 million meals. Chase-Morefield noted that this year's campaign comes at a time of uncertainty for the food bank's own funding, noting that more than half the food purchased is done so with federal funding. "There's such a need now, and there's so much uncertainty," she said. "That's why campaigns like this are so important. We want people to know we're here to help." The food drive will kick off with a happy hour event 4-6 p.m. Thursday at the food bank on Baumhart Road, and runs through June. There are also plans for an event involving Chez Francois in Vermilion. Attendees can also learn how to participate, from donations of food and money to launching their own campaigns at church, schools or workplaces. "There's a great opportunity for campaigns," Chase-Morefield said. "Anyone can do one." The campaign will be soliciting donations of non-perishable food items, collected at locations throughout the county, or money. Chase-Morefield says $1 can buy up to six meals for the food bank. "Any donation makes a huge impact," she said. "But donating dollars gives you the most bang for your buck." The honorary chairman for the campaign is Vic Gregovits of Avon Lake. Gregovits, a longtime sports marketing and communication official, is president of the Lake Erie Crushers, as well as a partner in the ownership group that bought the Frontier League team last year. Gregovits said that the team wants to be part of the community, and the Harvest for Hunger campaign is a good way to do so. "As a baseball team, we're viewed as a community asset, and we want to be ingrained in the community," he said. "We have vehicles to amplify their message, on our marquee facing the highway or being a collection site. We want to get into the community as much as possible." "We're really excited to partner with Vic and the Crushers," Chase-Morefield said. "It will energize the campaign in a different way." Contact Vince Guerrieri at (440) 329-7124 or vguerrieri@chroniclet.com. Follow him @vinceguerrieri on X.