Lottery fans from around Ohio are helping to alleviate hunger in Lorain County and its neighboring counties.

On June 1, Ohio Lottery Director Dennis Berg and staff from the lottery’s Cash Explosion Show delivered 10,300 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio,  5510 Baumhart Road in Lorain. That will be good for 8,342 meals for recipients across Lorain, Erie, Huron and The food comes from the Cash Explosion show, which operates a Facing Hunger Campaign starting in November to the following May. Fans who attend tapings of the show are asked to bring nonperishable food items to donate.

Cash Explosion has run the campaign since 2011 and generated more than 21 tons of food for Ohio food banks. The latest campaign set a record for donations because the Ohio Lottery added extra chances for donors to win cash prizes, said James Carothers, Cash Explosion associate producer. “We had a really big response,” Carothers said. “People actually want to be part of that thing, too, maybe come away with some cash and do something for the rest of their neighbors here in Ohio.”  Gabe Ball, production assistant and inventory control specialist for Cash Explosion, kept the donations organized — no small task because the food was boxed and packed on seven pallets more than 1,000 pounds each. “It’ll go a long way,” said Phil Simulcik, Second Harvest director of operations, who used a forklift and pallet jack to unload the pallets from two Ohio Lottery trucks. “I love to see it when it comes in,” said Kacy Porter, food resource coordinator for Second Harvest. “It makes me feel good because I know it’s going to be used and people need it, and we’re going to feed some families. It’s really cool.”  Once the pallets are at the warehouse, volunteers will sort the food items and repack them for distribution. The food is not earmarked for a specific program or county. Julie Chase-Morefield, Second Harvest president and CEO, said the items generally will go out to the area food pantries starting as early as next week. A delivery of more than 10,000 pounds of donated food items at one time is significant, Chase-Morefield said. “We are grateful for this food donation that comes at a time of year when food supplies are low but demand is increasing,” she said. “Food pantries see more children during the summer months as school is letting out and parents need additional help.”

http://www.morningjournal.com/article/MJ/20180601/NEWS/180609929