Working Together to Feed Hunger

At United Way of Lake County (UWLC), we are thrilled to share some heartwarming news with you. Thanks to the incredible generosity and unwavering support of our donors, we have distributed over $83,000 worth of food to our local community so far this year. Just last month, on June 19, 2024, we distributed an impressive $35,000 worth of essential food items to 31 food pantries across Lake County.

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Working Together to Feed Hunger (continued)



We take pride in working closely with our community's local food pantries, meeting several times each year to understand their specific needs. This collaborative effort ensures that the food we recently provided --Chunk White Chicken, Chunk Light Tuna, Beef Ravioli, Vegetable Beef Soup, Spaghetti, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Cereal, Instant Oatmeal, Pancake Mix, Syrup, Fruit Cocktail, Apple Juice, and Bottled Water—meets the needs of those they serve.

The food we distributed in June was funded by our 32nd Annual Feed Lake County Food Drive and Fundraiser held this past spring, and a generous $75,000 grant from the Jerome T. Osborne and Georgeanne S. Osborne Charitable Trust. Together, we raised $60,000 in cash donations, including a remarkable $25,000 from Buyers Products Company in Mentor, which was donated to our spring food drive for the third consecutive year as a donor match incentive.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to the hard-working volunteers from STERIS, who brought their energy and strength to help unload and sort the food with pallet jack trucks, and to the additional community volunteers who loaded each pantry vehicle with care and dedication.

Our journey began earlier this year with the launch of our new food pantry shopping program, allowing us to distribute over $48,000 worth of food on an as-needed basis. This innovative approach ensures that our food pantries receive the items they most urgently need throughout the year.

Combined with the June food distribution, we have put a total of $83,000 in food into our community to date. All thanks to those who give.

Our new on-site food pantry, a testament to our commitment to year-round support, has been instrumental in storing and distributing donated food since March. This initiative allows us to respond swiftly to the ongoing needs of our community.

"In the past, we distributed food on select dates throughout the year," said UWLC President & CEO Dione DeMitro. "Now, with year-round donations, we can better meet the needs of our local food pantries by letting them shop for what they need from our supply."

UWLC Board Member, Maria Kula of STERIS, helps load food into pantry vehicles during our June 19th food distribution.

Some standout contributors from our spring food drive include PCC Airfoils, who donated 5,327 lbs. of food; Component Repair Technologies, who donated 5,049 lbs. of food; Mentor High School, who donated 2,165 lbs. of food; and Marous Brothers Construction, who donated 1,900 lbs of food.

As emphasized by DeMitro, "Meeting our community's fundamental needs is paramount. I deeply appreciate everyone who contributes food and funds to help feed our friends and neighbors suffering from hunger."

A staggering one-third of Lake County residents struggle to afford basic needs.

If you are in a position to help, please consider making a gift at uwlc.org/give or by sending a check payable to United Way of Lake County to 9285 Progress Parkway, Mentor, OH 44060 (Attention: FLC).

We also accept year-round food donations. To arrange a food drop-off or pick-up, please contact dwhittaker@uwlc.org.

Spotlight: National Love is Kind Day, July 27th

A Celebration of Survivors of Domestic Abuse

National Love is Kind Day will be celebrated on Saturday, July 27, 2024. The day recognizes the right of all to be treated with kindness and to celebrate the independence of victims of domestic violence from their abusers. 

A few ways to observe National Love is Kind Day include:

• Expect to be treated with kindness
• Repeat the mantra "I deserve to be treated with kindness"
• Replace negative words and actions with positive ones
• Celebrate with domestic violence survivors their freedom from abuse
• Share examples of kindness on your social media
• Believe in and direct domestic abuse victims to Forbes House, Lake County's only domestic violence shelter (contact information can be found below)
• Share your story with us and what you do to spread kindness by sending an email to tlewis@uwlc.org.

Thanks to our donors, United Way of Lake County allocated $100,000 to Forbes House this year in support of their work so that victims of domestic abuse have a place to turn for shelter, refuge, and care.

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, Forbes House offers a 24/7 confidential help hotline at 440.357.1018. For further information on Forbes House and their services, click here.

Get Involved!

Upcoming Events, Volunteer Opportunities, and More!

Join Us For Our Campaign Kickoff Breakfast!

Wednesday, August 28th | 8:30 am - 10 am

Please join us at our Campaign Kickoff, where the focus of our campaign is on legacies—those that were left before us and those that will be created as part of our 2024 Campaign.

Fifteen years ago our 2009 campaign chairs Ed and Nancy Brown, owners of Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa in Mentor and Legacy Village and The Brown Aveda Institute in Mentor, spoke about the impact the funds raised would have on our community. We are thrilled to announce they will be returning to build upon the legacy of that campaign by returning to serve as our 2024 Campaign Co-Chairs, creating a new chapter of change in our community.

Our Campaign Kickoff Breakfast will take place in the Food Court of the Great Lakes Mall on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, from 8:30 am - 10 am.

Register now to join us! The fee is just $20 per person, and we look forward to seeing you!

Back-to-School Bash Clothing & Book Drive

Donations Being Accepted Through July 29th

& Volunteers Are Needed

At United Way of Lake County, we were happy to agree to serve as the collection point and sorting house to donate clothes and books for this year's Back to School Bash (B2SB), a community-wide initiative carried out by many nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies. As our first year serving in this capacity, we hope you will help by donating new socks, underwear, and new and gently used clothing and books for infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and young adults. To further help, please consider pre-sorting any donated clothing by gender and size and providing these in labeled boxes or bags (e.g. adult, youth, small, medium, etc.).

The B2SB is open to ALL Lake County children in need and serves up to 2,000 children annually. It will be held this year on Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 9 am - 2 pm at Harvey High School. The B2SB offers all of the following FREE services/items: school supplies, clothing, books, haircuts, dental services, vision screenings, sports screenings, and family photos. Free immunizations are also available to children ages 4 -18 years with advance registration. The B2SB also offers free breakfast and lunch on the day of the event.

Drop-Off Times & Location - We Are Accepting Donations Through July 29th

United Way of Lake County, 9285 Progress Pkwy, Mentor

Drop-Off Times: Mon-Thu 9 am - 4:30 pm & Fri 9 am - 11:30 am

Volunteers Also Needed

Volunteers are also needed to help sort and prepare donated clothing and books for the Back-to-School Bash. To volunteer or learn about openings, email volunteer@uwlc.org.

Emerging Leaders 11th Annual Golf Outing

August 30th at Black Brook - Only A Few Openings Remain!

United Way of Lake County's Emerging Leaders annual golf outing at Black Brook in Mentor draws golf enthusiasts from all over Northeast Ohio and only a few spots remain! Act now and register today for a day of fabulous fun on the green!

Sponsorships and registration information along with complete details can be found here!

Now Accepting Youth United Way Program Applications

Fall 2024 Class!

United Way of Lake County's Youth United Way program engages and empowers our community’s youth to become active agents of positive change through volunteering, advocacy, and philanthropy. 

The program is designed to teach students how to mobilize community resources to make a positive impact through the spirit of service. Students even have the opportunity to work together to allocate $5,000 in grant funds to Lake County nonprofit programs that benefit our community's youth.

High school students, grades 9 - 12, are eligible to apply. All that’s needed is a letter of recommendation from a teacher or staff member at their school. Complete details, fall program dates, and registration can be found here.

WIN a Lifetime of FREE Monthly Services from Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa (Mentor & Lyndhurst)!

Get Your Raffle Tickets Now!

We are very grateful to Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa, winner of Cleveland Magazine's 2024 "Best of the East" award, for generously donating this exceptional prize! One very lucky winner will receive one FREE service per month for life at either of their two locations in Mentor and Legacy Village in Lyndhurst! Services include haircuts and styling, formal styling, manicures, pedicures, facials, relaxation massages, and men's cuts! Raffle ticket entries start at just $10 each. Additional discounted quantity options are also available. Plus, for every $100 in entries purchased during one single transaction, you will be entered into a second raffle for a chance to win $1,000! 

Please note that this prize is non-transferable and can be used only by the winner. Must be 18 years or older to purchase entries. Complete contest rules are available at uwlc.org/salon.

Get your raffle entry tickets here now! 

Small Business United (SBU)

Join the Movement

Small business owners know that a strong, healthy community is good for business. These same owners also understand the importance of giving back and keeping local dollars local, which is where our Small Business United (SBU) membership comes in. All funds raised in Lake County from this membership, stay in Lake County, helping our local friends and neighbors in need. If you are a small business owner interested in a simple, budget-friendly way to give back, then this may be just the program for you!

Learn more about our SBU program now!

GET CONNECTED!

Volunteer Opportunities at UWLC and Other Lake County Nonprofits

Our new GET CONNECTED! initiative brings together individuals eager to make a positive impact with those looking for volunteers. If you are an organization in need of volunteers, we would love to include your listing in our online program. Simply send an email expressing your needs to volunteer@uwlc.org and we will get back to you!

If you are an individual looking to make a difference, we urge you to also send an email to volunteer@uwlc.org and we will respond with information on how you can select from a list of online opportunities that align with your interests and schedule!

Learn more about our GET CONNECTED! program here!