United Way of Lake County “Unites for the Holiday” to Distribute 680 Thanksgiving Turkeys with All the Fixings
(November 17, 2023 – Mentor, OH) – In the midst of a heavy downpour of rain United Way of Lake County (UWLC) distributed 680 turkeys along with all the fixings on Friday, November 17, 2023, from their office at 9285 Progress Parkway in Mentor.
This is double the number of turkeys distributed last year due to increased need and the generosity of donors.
The food was distributed to 38 Lake County food pantries who will provide these to the families they serve for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Volunteers from Mentor Public Schools and STERIS Corporation were on-hand to unload the food delivery. Volunteers from Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers’ Lake House and the Matt Mormile Farmers Insurance Agency then distributed and loaded the food into food pantry vehicles as each arrived throughout the day.
Mashed potatoes, canned yams, turkey stuffing mix, gravy mix, canned green beans, canned cranberry sauce, and fudge brownie mix were provided along with the turkeys.
The over $26,000 in turkeys and fixings that were distributed were funded by those who gave to UWLC’s spring Feed Lake County fundraiser, which included a $25,000 match donated by Buyers Products Company in Mentor.
Over one hundred of the six hundred turkeys distributed were donated by PCC Airfoils in Mentor.
According to UWLC President and CEO Dione DeMitro, “Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and the kindness of volunteers, hundreds of families who might have otherwise gone without will now enjoy a complete Thanksgiving meal. The support of those who give has truly made a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
Beyond the food distributed today, TT Electronics in Perry and Ranpak Corporation in Painesville will both be supplying additional turkeys to UWLC for distribution the week of Thanksgiving.
Others currently running holiday food drives include:
Rainforest Car Wash at 7350 Palisades Pkwy in Mentor. They are offering a free Rain Wash to those who bring 4 non-perishable food items to them now through December 23, 2023.
Leolo Hospitality at 8488 in Mentor are running a contest throughout the month of November that gives donors a chance to win Chef Larry’s “famous” Hatch Chile Con Queso. For every non-perishable food item dropped off to them, donors will receive one contest raffle entry.
Western Reserve Harley-Davidson at 8556 Tyler Blvd in Mentor is accepting donations of non-perishable food through November 18th and donors will receive a raffle ticket for each item donated for a chance to win a $500 Western Reserve Harley Davidson gift card.
A total of 25,840 Lake County residents are estimated to be living with food insecurity, 11.2% of the population.
A total of 6,770 children in Lake County are estimated to be living with food insecurity, 14.2% of the population.
Nearly one-third of Lake County residents struggle to afford basic needs. This includes the working poor who make up a stark 24% and do not benefit from government assistance along with the 7% who live in poverty.
UWLC has a list of food pantries on their website at uwlc.org/food-pantries. More comprehensive health and human service help can be found by calling Lifeline’s 2-1-1 referral hotline anytime 24/7.
Those in a position to donate to help feed hunger are asked to visit uwlc.org/give to make a gift. Checks payable to United Way of Lake County can also be mailed to them at 9285 Progress Parkway, Mentor, OH 44060. Attention: FLC.
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