Hunger Network Of Greater Cleveland

THE MISSION OF HUNGER NETWORK OF GREATER CLEVELAND IS FEEDING OUR COMMUNITIES' FUTURE. THE ORGANIZATION ACCOMPLISHES THIS BY COORDINATING EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND FOOD RECOVERY/WASTE REDUCTION/SUSTAINABILITY RESPONSE AND OTHER NUTRITION RELATED SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT CUYAHOGA COUNTY.

HUNGER NETWORK OF GREATER CLEVELAND IS INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS 2 TWO DISTINCT YET COMPLEMENTARY SERVICES ADDRESSING HUNGER RELIEF, HEALTH AND NUTRITION, AND FOOD WASTE/SUSTAINABILITY. HUNGER RELIEF GOALS ARE MET BY PROVIDING FUNDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 75 PANTRY AND HOT MEAL LOCATIONS. THESE EFFORTS ON THE GROUND ARE SUPPORTED BY APPROXIMATELY 1,920 VOLUNTEERS DURING THE YEAR WHICH IS CRITICAL TO CARRYING OUT OUR MISSION. IN 2021, HUNGER CENTERS SERVED 415,634 INDIVIDUALS AND 6,045,795 NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED MEALS. OF THE CLIENTS SERVED, 25% WERE CHILDREN 18 YEARS OF AGE AND UNDER WHILE 31% WERE SENIORS 60 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. THE ORGANIZATION IS DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE LIMITED RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY HAVE EMERGENCY FOOD RELIEF AND ASSISTANCE.

THE STAY WELL PROGRAM TRANSITIONED INTO A NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM IN 2021. PREVENTIVE HEALTH INTERVENTIONS AND NUTRITION EDUCATION ARE CRUCIAL FOR INSTILLING HEALTHY HABITS WITHIN HUNGER CENTER PATRONS THAT CAN LEAD TO LASTING IMPACT. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING TRAINING FOR PANTRY MANAGERS, RESEARCH SUPPORTS THAT MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PANTRY MODEL AND ITS ENVIRONMENT ARE A MORE EFFECTIVE AND HELPFUL MEANS OF SUPPORTING AND DISSEMINATING IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO OUR NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY. BY FOCUSING ON LIFESTYLE CHANGES DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD SELECTION, WE CAN HELP PREVENT THE ONSET OF CHRONIC DISEASE AND MITIGATE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PRE-EXISTING CHRONIC CONDITIONS. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, NUTRITION AND HEALTH EDUCATION WILL REMAIN A KEY RESOURCE AT OUR HUNGER CENTERS, WHILE ADAPTING TO A MODERN, EFFECTIVE AND APPROACHABLE DELIVERY METHOD.

HUNGER NETWORK'S FOOD RESCUE PROGRAM CONTINUED TO GROW AND OPERATE THROUGHOUT 2021, DESPITE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO RECOVER PERFECTLY VIABLE FOOD THAT IS DESTINED FOR OUR WASTE STREAM AND PUT IT INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO FACE FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE FOOD RESCUE HERO APP CONNECTS FOOD DONORS TO NONPROFIT FOOD RECIPIENTS THROUGH DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO PICK UP AND DELIVER THE FOOD. FOOD RESCUE IS WELL RECEIVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND IS CONTINUING ITS EXPANSION TO OTHER COUNTIES. IN 2021, OUR VOLUNTEER CORPS GREW TO 1,673 INDIVIDUALS, WHO COMPLETED 4,742 RESCUES, RESULTING IN AN ESTIMATED 1,005,803 POUNDS OF FOOD RESCUED, WHICH EQUATES TO A RETAIL VALUE OF 2,519,945.