Campaign to provide 4 million meals

NORWALK — A local hunger relief organization set a goal to serve nearly 4 million meals to food-insecure residents this year. But it needs support from others, through a fundraiser, to support what organizers called a crucial campaign. Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, in partnership with a number of organizations in the area, is about to kick off its Harvest for Hunger campaign. Officials need money so they can raise the funds needed to source the food Second Harvest distributes to more than 125 food pantries, hot meal programs and shelters in the area, including those in Erie and Huron counties. Additionally, 2026 marks the 35th year of the campaign, which seeks to fund about 3.9 million meals shipped throughout the area. "Any dollars raised, we want to make sure it's clear those dollars are going back to your local community," said Julie Chase-Morefield, Second Harvest president and CEO. Addressing the need Demand for food greatly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and hasn't slowed down in the years since. The situation for many food-insecure people became especially dire in late 2025 amid cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during the government shutdown. Second Harvest ended up purchasing hundreds of thousands of pounds of additional food to help meet the need at the time. Chase-Morefield said those served by her organization include families and children. Another demographic the organization is increasingly helping is senior citizens, she added. "People don't truly understand the impact hunger has," said Pamela Brumbaugh, district governor of Rotary District 6600, comprised of 58 clubs and about 2,700 Rotarians. Rotary supports Second Harvest in this fundraiser. Brumbaugh, whose district includes clubs in Erie and Huron counties, added that she hoped the campaign opened the eyes of people who are unaware and said Rotary is "proud" to support this initiative. Jen Allred, public image chair of Rotary District 6600, said 13 of its clubs will be supporting the campaign, including those representing clubs located in the area: Bellevue, Huron, Milan, New London, Norwalk, Sandusky and Vermilion. Who it serves A number of local organizations in Erie and Huron counties partner with Second Harvest to receive food: Erie County • BGSU Firelands • Boys & Girls Clubs • Care and Share • Christ's Community Meal • Crossroads • Family Health Services • Father's Heart Ministries • Firelands Center for Coordinated Care • Grace Community Kitchen • Huron Helping Hands • National Church Residencies- Harborview & Viewpoint • New Day Family Resource Center • OHgo • Salvation Army • Sandusky Church of God Huron County • Caring Community of Wakeman • Family Health Services • Fish and Loaves • Fitchville Community Church • Miriam House • Neighbor to Neighbor • New London Local Schools • Norwalk Alliance Church • Norwalk Area Food Bank • Norwalk Baptist Church • Norwalk Schools • Our Lady of Lourdes Church • Plymouth Shiloh Food Pantry • Salvation Army • Simon Acts • Willard Area Food Bank • Willard Church of God How to help Second Harvest is hosting a kick-off event for Harvest for Hunger from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday at its Lorain location, 5510 Baumhart Road. People can support the fundraiser by donating at secondharvestfoodbank.org or by calling 440-434-2444.