Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, 5510 Baumhart Road in Lorain, is known for its large warehouse full of food and semi trucks filled with aid ready to help those in need.
The warehouse at Second Harvest seemed a bit different Sept. 24.
“We have gathered here today for the 18th annual Generous Helpings event which is first and foremost a fundraiser, but it is also a chance to get restaurants within the community recognized for their work,” said Julie Chase-Morefield, president and CEO for Second Harvest. “When we first started this 18 years ago, we were seeing hardships in the community that we wanted to solve, and now 18 years later, we still see those hardships.”
Over 300 guests gathered at the warehouse to celebrate the event as chefs from 15 local restaurants prepared some of their finest meals.
“This event also wraps up Hunger Action Month for us, and we are trying to raise awareness about the issue of hunger,” Chase-Morefield said. “Coming out of COVID, we still see much, much higher numbers of people seeking assistance, and all the funds raised through this event really helps us be able to help them.”
Generous Helpings also is a way to show the community what the organization is all about, she said.
“So many people are connected to our work,” Chase-Morefield said. “A lot of our volunteers are here tonight; a lot of people who we work with within the community, and it’s just really amazing to see them all connected.”
The night alone helped raise over $100,000 for the food bank which then can be used to feed more than 100,000 people at $1 a meal, according to Chase-Morefield.
The event also featured the Bev Lizanich Innovation Award, which is given to an individual or program that strives to be proactive in the community and finds unique ways to make an impact.
This year’s winners were Cindy and Paul Grodell, senior pastors at Beyond The Walls Church, 101 Woodford Ave. in Elyria.
“We are absolutely honored to be able to be awarded tonight,” Paul Grodell said. “Back in the 2000s, Cindy and I were ministering in Wilks Villa with a children’s ministry.
“We quickly noticed that many of our young congregants would often come hungry, and we knew there was a huge need to begin a food pantry.”
Since then, Beyond The Walls Church has succeeded in its mission, donating close to 600,000 pounds of food, serving 8,000 unique individuals.
“One of the things we hear over and over again when people step into the church is that they feel loved,” Paul Grodell said. “I am reminded about when Jesus said to the crowd of 5,000 that he fed that he felt their compassion and had compassion for them.
“That amazes me because him being God, he didn’t look at the faults of people; he looked at the needs and we are trying to duplicate that.”
Beyond The Walls’ food pantry is open at 4 p.m., Fridays.
Finally, Lorain County Community College’s Spitzer Conference Center was recognized as People’s Choice during Generous Helpings, receiving its second award in the seven-year time span it has participated in the event.
“I am honored to have this recognition,” said Maggie Gross, pastry chef. “It is amazing to witness the love for food and what Second Harvest can do through this event.
“And, we know that tomorrow morning, they will right back to serving the community because that’s what they do.”
