County Contributes $200,000 in Funding to The Greater Cleveland Food Bank

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Contacts:
LeVine Ross, lross@cuyahogacounty.us 


Funding to Assist with Needs Related to COVID-19

Cleveland, OH
- Cuyahoga County contributes $200,000 in funding to The Greater Cleveland Food Bank to assist with needs related to COVID-19. The demand to feed families has increased tremendously since the beginning of the pandemic, and the need is steadily rising as many families face the harsh realities of unemployment and the enormous impact of school closures, leaving hundreds of children at risk who have come to rely on daily lunch programs.

“As the member of County Council that represents the district in which the Greater Cleveland Food Bank is located, I have learned by regularly meeting and volunteering with staff at their facility in District 10 not only about the needs of my residents but about the food instability in all eleven County Council districts. The Coronavirus/COVID-19 epidemic and its financial impact have caused some families all over Cuyahoga County to worry “if they will have enough food.” With our contribution to the Food Bank, we make the residents of Cuyahoga County more secure by helping nearly 900 organizations get food out into the communities we represent,” states Councilwoman Stephens.

“The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is exceedingly grateful to Cuyahoga County for the $200,000 contribution to the Food Bank for our efforts to help feed so many hungry families and individuals during this COVID-19 crisis. We are humbled and honored with the trust that is being placed in us by the County,” said Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank Kristin Warzocha. “These funds will be used for expenses incurred to secure food for so many in need and help ensure that no one goes hungry in our community. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s expenses to respond to COVID-19 are expected at $5 million for the six-month period ending September 30, but we know that the increased need for food will extend far beyond this and likely well into 2021.”

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank works to serve approximately 350,000 individuals annually through food distribution and SNAP outreach efforts in all six counties they serve. Food is distributed to local pantries, hot meal programs, shelters, and programs for the elderly. The fallout from the pandemic has already surpassed normal funding allocations, and without additional funding support from the community, the number of families served would significantly decrease.


  
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