From Hunger to Hope In Erie County, 16% of our neighbors are food insecure according to Feeding America data. These are children, adults and senior citizens that often don’t know from where their next meal will come. It also means they are missing meals with unfortu- nate regularity, leading to reduced productivity by all. We also know that children who lack adequate nutrition will likely suffer the consequences over the entirety of their lives. The cost of hunger is not just a personal issue, it is a community one. The Foundation makes grants to multiple area organizations that pro- vide food, like the Sandusky Senior Center, Care and Share, Meals on Wheels, and the Victory Kitchen. But with over 12,000 people being food insecure,wearestillfallingshort. That is why, in 2017, the Foundation announced $40,000 in new grants for new or expanded programs that target food insecure people that otherprogramsarenotnowadequatelyserv- ing. InAprilof2018thosedollarswereallocated: $32,000 to OH-go (OHgoReach.org) and $8,000 to the summer meals program of the Boys and GirlsClubofErieCounty(BGCSandusky.org). OH-go Reach has developed an innovative mobile food pantry concept that goes right into underservedneighborhoods.Theyservepeople who lack transportation, flexibility to get to pantries when they are not working, cooking skills,potsandpans,and who faceallmannerof non-foodbarrierstogoodnutrition. The Boys and Girls Club has worked hard to prepare good, nutritious food to children who participateinClubprogramsproventoenhancea child’ssuccessinschoolandinlife.Thesummeris aparticularlychallengingtimeforthesechildren when school and other meal programs are unavailable,andtheirparentsareoftenworking multiplejobsjusttokeeparoofovertheirheads, andare notaroundtofeedthem. 3 Photo courtesy of OH-go Reach