Second Harvest helps people who need food

SANDUSKY — Helping people who need food is the purpose of Second Harvest Food Bank, which serves Erie, Huron, Lorain and Crawford counties.In Erie County, the organization supplies food pantries and organizations such as OHgo, Care and Share, the Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Club, Helping Hands food pantry in Huron and the Crossroads homeless shelter, said Julie Chase-Morefield, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northern Ohio.Since the organization can leverage food from the federal government, private donations and other sources, every $1 donated to the organization can provide five meals, she said. And Second Harvest is a government-recognized nonprofit, so donations as tax-deductible.Visitors to the organization's website at secondharvestfoodbank.org can donate money, learn how to volunteer or find out how to obtain help if they need food, Chase-Morefield said.Local residents also are invited to take part in the organization's Holiday Cheer campaign at local Burger Kings, including the one at 706 W. Perkins Ave. in Sandusky and at 340 Milan Ave. and 283 Benedict Ave. in Norwalk. Donors can obtain coupons, and they can be assured that all of their donations will be used to feed people in their home county. Donations in Erie County help food pantries in Erie County, she said.Chase-Morefield said her group provides 9-10 million pounds of food per year to hungry people in the area. The group also advocates for food programs such as food stamps and WIC, trying to help such programs stay strong and available for those who need them, she said. Second Harvest provides food to people in a local four county area.