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Jeff Bezos donates $500,000 to Greater Cleveland Food Bank

The food bank is the recipient of part of the largest donation in American food bank history.

CLEVELAND — The richest man in the world, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, recently gave away $100 million dollars to help feed the growing number of people seeking help from America’s food banks. Karen Pozna, the Director of Communication for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, says the donation was right on time.

“Summer is actually one of the hungriest times of the year on a normal basis because kids are out of school and they’re not getting the free and reduced lunches that they normally would,” Pozna told 3News.

Bezos gave the money to the nonprofit organization Feeding America, which in turn distributed funds to its network, including the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

“The amount that we're getting is just over $500,000,” Ponza said.

The money will go very far, since it will all go towards food.

“For every dollar donated to the greater Cleveland food bank, we can help provide four nutritious meals,” Ponza explained, meaning Bezos will help fund two million meals for Northeast Ohioans. That need is still alive and well.

“We’re still seeing over 1,000 cars come through every week,” Pozna said, adding the food bank has helped more than 10,000 new families since March.

“You know we have seen such unprecedented need over the last few months with the Covid-19 pandemic and we are so grateful for the support of Jeff Bezos,” she said.

The donation will likely last through the summer and fall.

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