CLEVELAND — The Greater Cleveland Food Bank feeds more than just Cleveland. It distributes food to more than 1,000 hunger-relief programs in six counties throughout Northeast Ohio. During the COVID pandemic, many Ohioans turned to the Food Bank for assistance, and it's more of the same with the current inflation status.
3News’ Betsy Kling introduces us to an amazing group working and volunteering to make sure people in our communities have nutritious food every single day.
Build the boxes. Send them down the conveyer belt. Load them up with food. Then prepare for delivery.
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is a well-oiled machine, mostly in part because of volunteers like Ron Rinseski. Since retiring in 2018, he’s volunteered at the Food Bank hoping to bring value to other people’s lives.
“The only time we see the person that gets this is twice a month down at the Muni Lot,” he said. “That is the best days that I have, honestly, every two weeks. They are so happy that we are able to give them food – and they are the ones coming to me trying to give me water while I’m directing cars.”
The food distribution at the Muni Lot is going into its fourth year. It’s a feat that takes 100 volunteers to support more than 2,000 families – and this is just one way you can help the Food Bank.
It’s a place that just about anyone can help out. Most projects require you are 14 years old, but the fourth Monday of each month is family night. This means kids as young as 6 can help, too.
During our visit, a class from Hawken Upper School arrived to pitch in and box food for senior citizens.
From the sense of purpose to the friendships created, Terryn Mathis, the warehouse repack lead, says volunteering can be fun.
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on April 7, 2023.
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