Cleveland Hunger Network
Night to Fight Hunger – November 1, 2024
Written for Currents by Rita Kueber
If you’ve ever heard the term ‘fight fire with fire,’ you’ll appreciate the spirit behind that saying when it comes to the Cleveland Hunger Network. In a clever twist on the traditional benefit, the organization decided to fight food insecurity with food. And not just any food, but dishes and delights from some of the area’s top chefs, from appetizers to plated dinners in a series of tantalizing courses that delighted 230 guests at the Night to Fight Hunger, described as a “culinary journey.”
After a VIP/champagne social hour with cocktails and appetizers, dinner at the InterContinental began at 7:00 pm with the program hosted by WKYC meteorologist Betsy Kling. Honorary Co-chairs were Jay and Lanèe Lucarelli/Minutemen Family of Companies, while this year’s corporate partner of the year was Sanson Produce.
Julie Johnson, CEO of the Hunger Network, said her team provides for 71 pantries in Cuyahoga County, 17 of which offer hot meals. More and more of these resources are going to older adults and children who regularly face food insecurity, she said. Several years ago the organization began a network of volunteers who pick up food from a supplier/grocer/restaurant in their area and deliver it to a pantry just a few miles away.
This “uber for food” addresses the second prong of Hunger Network’s mission – eliminating food waste. “Forty percent of all food is wasted and ends up in landfills,” Johnson states. “If we could stop wasting food, we could feed everyone.”. Until then, unfortunately, she’s not seeing the daily need diminish. Organizers had raised $100,000 before the first guest arrived. They hoped to boost their proceeds to $200,000 for the evening.
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