United Way distributes nearly 35,000 pounds of food to local food pantries

United Way of Lake County distributed nearly 35,000 pounds of food to more than 50 local food pantries on Monday as part of the nonprofit organization's Feed Lake County food drive campaign.

Feed Lake County also raised nearly $25,000 in cash, which will be used throughout the year to make food purchases for the local pantries.

Feed Lake County kicked off on March 1. More than 40 businesses, organizations and schools helped conduct food drives for the campaign. On Saturday, United Way of Lake County worked with Laketran and the City of Willoughby to conduct a "Fill-A-Bus" event that garnered nearly 5,000 additional pounds of food.

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. From January of this year to March, there have been 865 calls for food, which is up from 516 calls between January and March of 2012. 

If you would still like to donate food or money to United Way of Lake County, contact Gayle Sikula at 440.639.1082 or send to United Way of Lake County, 9285 Progress Parkway, Mentor, OH.