United Way Of Lake County Donates More Than 700 Hams As Part Of Feed Lake County Drive

The United Way of Lake County distributed 704 hams to 48 food pantries across the county earlier.

The hams will then be given to families in need in time for Easter.

Local food pantries continue to see an increase in clients who are in need of food as 2-1-1 reported more than 4,200 requests for food in 2012, which was up from 3,600 calls in 2011, according to the United Way.

So far in 2013, there have been 865 calls for food, which is up from 516 calls between January and March of 2012.

"We get calls from people who do not ordinarily go to the food pantry every month but for a special event they desperately need some additional help," said Joanne Ramsey from the Willoughby United Methodist Church. "Tomorrow is our last giveaway and these hams will just be absolutely perfect."

The hams were purchased at and delivered by Giant Eagle to United Way of Lake County's Mentor office.

They were donated as part of the 2013 Feed Lake County Campaign.

Last year the 2012 Feed Lake County Campaign raised about 45,000 pounds of food and more than $60,000 cash donations.

However, the 2013 campaign is down so United Way of Lake County is encouraging individuals and businesses to donate food and money to the Feed Lake County Campaign to help feed those in need.

Feed Lake County is used throughout the year to make purchases for the food pantries in March, September, November and December. This year's Feed Lake County will continue through the second week of April.

Individuals and companies interested in donating should contact Rich Thiedemann at 440-639-1153 or Rthiedemann@uwlc.org.