CLEVELAND — More than 4,000 households received Thanksgiving food items on Thursday at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s Muni Lot distribution. The distribution, one of the last at the Muni Lot, provided recipients with turkeys and other items for the holiday table like potatoes and bread.
The distribution was supported by more than 100 volunteers loading the food items into cars, plus a $50,000 check provided by Huntington Bank to support the food bank.
As the distribution began, Kristin Warzocha, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, said they expected this year’s demand to surpass Thanksgiving last year.
"We think that today may rival Thanksgiving 2020, which was right after the pandemic started,” Warzocha said. “But the fact is the need this year has been so high. Families are really struggling with higher food costs, the end of extra SNAP and pandemic benefits, and people are having a hard time, and so we’ve been busier than ever all year long."
According to the food bank, almost 4,200 households ultimately received food at the distribution Thursday.
“The fact is that Thanksgiving is all about food, it’s a whole holiday about food,” Warzocha said. “And we want to make sure that as many people as possible have access to that food.”
For volunteer Michelle Hansen, participating in the distribution and getting to meet people is a way of giving back to the community.
“It’s very rewarding working with people and helping out any way we can,” she said.
Brad Bailes also wanted to help out on Thursday. He was among the first in line for the distribution, and said he arrived around 3:30 in the morning to ensure he would successfully pick up Thanksgiving meals for those in need, including two wounded warriors.
“I’m glad to be able to do it,” he said.
This was among the last Muni Lot distributions that the Greater Cleveland Food Bank will host. Warzocha said that starting next year, people can turn to their partner agencies and programs, or visit the new Community Resource Center at their facility on South Waterloo Road.
To sign up for the remaining muni lot distributions, click here.
Also on Thursday, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that $750,000 will be distributed to food banks across the state.
According to a press release, the money comes from a $1 million settlement with Dollar General for displaying prices on shelves but charging more at the register than the listed price. The release states that county auditors will select the beneficiary in their counties, to be submitted to Yost's office by the end of the month.