El Centro De Servicios, 2800 Pearl Ave. in Lorain, in a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, presented a Mobile Food Pantry on July 18 to provide meals for those in need.
“This is our food pantry event that we hold every third Thursday of the month,” said Suzette Sanchez, a case worker for El Centro. “We are providing oranges, eggs, milk, Lunchables and nonperishable items.
"We want to focus on providing meals that are healthy and are good nutritional choices.”
Sanchez said the pantry, which was located in the El Centro parking lot, provides extra help to individuals and families.
“It’s that support that some people need,” she said. “Food insecurity is a bigger problem than folks realize in Lorain. It is also something you might not be able to predict. A family might be able to afford food one month, but the next month they might need to set money aside for bills. Sometimes it just depends on the situation.”
Sanchez said El Centro provides help for people in different areas.
“We can help folks interpret different health options through Mercy [Health - Lorain],” she said. “We also have a lot of classes to help with chronic conditions and how folks can live healthy.
"We also point people in the direction of benefits they are eligible for.”
Sanchez said Second Harvest, which provided 4,900 pounds of food for the pantry, always is in need of help.
“Anyone looking to help food insecurity in the community should start with Second Harvest,” she said. “They are always looking for volunteers, and they help people all over this area.
"They also supply to other pantries besides the one we have here at El Centro.”
Juan Torres, 20, of Lorain, was one of the people utilizing the pantry.
“It’s great that they’re doing this,” Torres said. “Everything they have is very good.”
Iluminada Cruz, of Lorain, was thankful for the pantry.
“The pantry is very good,” Cruz said. “It has a very good variety.”
For more information on what El Centro provides, call 440-277-8235.
For information on how to volunteer at Second Harvest, visit www.secondharvestfoodbank.org.
