PAINESVILLE, Ohio — A partnership between nonprofits, Lake County businesses and elected officials are helping to feed children in Lake County is expanding.
When learning shifted from the classroom to the family room, without a lunch room many children were hungry. That's when the idea to team up with businesses and nonprofits to make sure children had lunch turned into reality.
It started at Willow Praise Church in Willowick back in March. On Mondays, a line of cars stretches around the outside of the church.
Now, the successful program has expanded to Painesville on Tuesdays. On the first day of the grab-n-go style lunches outside of The Painesville Assembly of God Church, there was a slow but steady stream of traffic.
When the church pastor heard about the program, he wanted it to help children in his community, too.
"As word gets out, there is a tremendous need in our community," said Aaron Taylor, Pastor Painesville Assembly of God Church.
"The food today is from Lucios, which is a restaurant in Eastlake. They provided pizza and pasta for the kids," said Vice President of Eastlake Council Mike Zuren.
Each week one restaurant donates hundreds of meals for children under 18 years old. Donations from community members help fill the lunch bags.
Most Saturday nights, council members from Willowick, Eastlake, Timberlake, and Willoughby Hills, spend their evenings fundraising for the program.
"We actually fundraise with a local restaurant each week and promote that business and they help pay for the food for the kids program," he explained. The council members take orders and deliver food with a portion of the sales going to fund the program.
With the help from the Cleveland Food Bank, the program is expected to run until mid August. Free grab and go lunches are available Monday mornings starting at 11 a.m. at Willow Praise Church in Willowick and Tuesday mornings starting at 11 a.m. at The Painesville Assembly of God Church in Painesville.
Donations and volunteers are needed. Mike Zuren can be reached by email at Mikezuen@att.net or by calling 440-251-5381 if you would like to help.
