LORAIN, OH – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined local officials and community leaders at a ribbon cutting for the opening of Second Harvest of North Central Food Bank’s new facility in Lorain today. The Nordson Food Distribution Center is a 41,000 square foot facility that will help Second Harvest triple the capacity of its previous distribution center. Second Harvest provides five meals for every $1 donated to the organization.

“Almost one in six families doesn’t know where their next meal will come from,” Brown said. “While we all share a responsibility to end hunger in our communities, Second Harvest has been a model of success and this new facility will allow their work to have an even bigger impact.”

Other features of the new facility include an expanded repackaging area for large volunteer projects, increased dock space to accommodate large incoming shipments, and a community meeting space.

Joining Brown to mark the opening were Patricia O’Brien, board president of Second Harvest, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9), Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenaur, and Elyria Mayor Holly Brinda, in addition to business and community leaders around Lorain County.

“Today’s ceremony marks a huge milestone for Second Harvest and our strategic response to the growing need in the communities we serve,” said O’Brien. “The leadership of Second Harvest has worked tirelessly over the past several years to create a sustainable and efficient model of delivering food to our partner charity network throughout four counties. This plan resulted in a successful capital campaign that involved over 400 individuals, foundations and businesses in the construction of our new home – a facility that I’m proud to say triples the distribution capacity of our former building.”

Brown is a strong supporter of Second Harvest and food banks around Ohio. As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Brown has been a leader in the Senate on issues relating to hunger and nutrition. While serving as chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Hunger, Nutrition, and Family Farms, Brown wrote the Hunger-Free Schools Act, which would help reduce paperwork and enroll already-eligible students in childhood nutrition programs through direct certification.

 

 

 

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