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SearchFunding will bolster access to nutritious food for families throughout North Central Ohio region
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Cleveland Clinic contributed $2.5 million to Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio.
Cleveland Clinic is expanding its partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio through a new $2.5 million investment to combat hunger and improve access to nutritious food across the region.
Cleveland Clinic presented the gift during the food bank’s annual volunteer appreciation event held on May 21 at the Emerald Event Center in Avon, Ohio. The health system received the Harvester Award for dedicating more than 350 hours of volunteer service in 2025.
“Food is both a basic human need and one of the most powerful forms of medicine we have,” said Rebecca Starck, M.D., vice president and Chief Medical Officer of Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital. “By expanding our partnership with Second Harvest, we can help ensure more families have access to the nourishment they need to live healthier lives.”
In Lorain County alone, about 48,300 people — or 15.4% of the population — were food insecure in 2023, according to Feeding America. Limited access to healthy food can make it harder for individuals to manage chronic conditions, recover from illness and maintain overall well-being.
To help address this need, Second Harvest and Avon Hospital established an on-site food pantry, where eligible patients receive nutritionally tailored food at discharge and are connected to longer-term community resources.
Since opening in April 2024, the pantry has distributed 8,651 pounds of food to 645 neighbors and has become a reliable bridge to the additional food support many patients need once they’re back home.
Second Harvest also supports over 125 partner charities to improve access to nutritious food for families in Crawford, Erie, Huron and Lorain counties. In 2025, the organization distributed more than 11.1 million pounds of food, providing more than 9.2 million meals.
The new investment from Cleveland Clinic will support Second Harvest’s efforts to:
Reach more vulnerable neighbors with innovative programming, increase access in healthcare settings and bridge the last mile
Expand capacity to source nutritious food including produce, whole grains, low-sodium and low-sugar options
Bring in additional and consistent produce year-round utilizing local growers and producers whenever possible
“Many of the neighbors we serve have health conditions that can be drastically improved when they have access to nutritious food, said Second Harvest President and CEO Julie Chase-Morefield. “We are so grateful for this amazing gift which will allow us to meet our neighbors where they are and get them the food they need to thrive.”
The investment builds on Cleveland Clinic’s broader commitment to addressing food insecurity through both clinical care and community partnerships. These efforts include teaching kitchens, pediatric meal programs, food vouchers, grocery delivery, access to fresh produce from local farms and Nourish food pantries for eligible patients.
Cleveland Clinic:
Alana Wyche, 216.346.0363, WycheA@ccf.org
Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio:
Emily Faust, 440.444.0697, EFaust@secondharvestfoodbank.org
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation, Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 83,000 employees worldwide are more than 6,600 salaried physicians and researchers, and 21,900 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,725-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 300 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2025, there were 15.9 million outpatient encounters, 343,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 336,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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