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Highlights from Senior Hunger Advocacy Day
In May, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank partnered with the
Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, and the
Council on Older Persons to host a Senior Hunger Advocacy Day at the
Ohio Statehouse. Staff and volunteers from senior serving organizations
joined older adults to visit more than 25 state representatives and senators to
advocate for increases in funding for vital senior-focused services like
home-delivered and congregate meals as well as state programs like the Ohio
Food and Agriculture Clearance Programs, that effectively support the output of
fresh produce and shelf-stable items from Ohio’s food banks. We’re so
appreciative of all the elected officials who met with us! And, a shout out to our older adults who were such persuasive advocates!
Additional senior advocates and organizations who joined us
or helped make the day possible include Solon Department of Senior Services,
Senior Transportation Connection, Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult
Services, Lake County Council on Aging, Cleveland Department of Aging, Ohio
Association of Foodbanks, Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging,
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio,
Maple Heights Senior Center, Senior Citizen Resources, Solon Rotary Club
Pantry, and more.
Click here to see photos from the day.
This week, the Ohio Senate Finance Committee demonstrated
their support for hungry Ohioans by proposing a budget bill that includes an
additional $5 million per year in the 2020-21 biennial budget for Ohio’s
foodbanks, for a total of $24.55 million per year. This proposed increase in
funding builds on the support demonstrated by Governor DeWine in his executive
budget. We are extremely grateful to see the hard work of our advocates impacting policies that benefit millions of Ohioans.
Stories from the Food Bank: Roy
Roy’s biggest challenge is making sure his four growing grandchildren, ages 9 to 11, are well fed, giving them the energy they need to grow and play. He’s been caring for them since they were two months old, and as they get older, they eat more.
Out of necessity, Roy has come a few times to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to supplement what he has at home. “They eat like alligators, so I’m here to see if I can help my situation,” he said.
Read the full story here.
Partner Spotlight: Heinen's Grocery Stores
As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we'd like to extend heartfelt congratulations to our long-time partner, Heinen's Grocery Stores, for their 90 years of service to the community. They've been a large part of our history and are strong supporters of our mission. Here are just a few ways Heinen's supports people in need in Northeast Ohio:
- All Heinen's stores and warehouses in the Food Bank's service area donate a variety of perishable and shelf-stable foods to the Food Bank every week. In the last five years, they've donated close to 4,000,000 pounds of food and supplies.
- They participate in our yearly Check Out Hunger Campaign to support Harvest for Hunger. This year, Heinen's raised more than $270,000.
- Jeff Heinen played a significant role in founding the Food Bank and helping grow the organization into what it is today.
- Currently, Heinen's Director of Operations, John Cymanski, sits on the Greater Cleveland Food Bank's board and chairs our Operations Committee.
Recently, we were happy to help Heinen's celebrate with a luncheon at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. We're grateful for their commitment to the Food Bank and are happy to celebrate milestone years in our organizations' history.
Give Help: Ways to Support the Food Bank this Summer
Run your heart out this weekend or golf for the cause in July - either way you'll be supporting the Food Bank while having fun doing it!
- June 15 - Sweet & Savory 60 Mile Relay: The Sweet & Savory 60 Mile Relay is a 60-ish mile relay that traces the outer “necklace” of the Cleveland Metroparks and benefits the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. The course starts on Cleveland's west side in the Rocky River Reservation and traverses some of the most beautiful areas of the parks, finishing on the east side at The Grove amphitheater in Mayfield Village at the edge of North Chagrin Reservation. The finish line party includes live music and a beer garden! Click here to register for the relay or join the Hops 4 Hunger beer garden.
- July 7 - ABB We Care Golf Outing: Join ABB for their charity golf outing to support four nonprofits, including the Greater Cleveland Food Bank! Please contact Patrick at 440.585.6761 for more information.
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- September 9 - Taste of the Browns: Join the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium as we tackle hunger in Northeast Ohio. Mix & mingle with Cleveland Browns celebrities as you sample dishes from some of our area's most exciting restaurants. Tickets are on sale now at www.GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org/Taste.
Greater Cleveland Food Bank in the News
In case you missed it, here's the Greater Cleveland Food Bank's most recent stories:
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