In an effort to efficiently move extra food around Hancock County, United Way of Hancock County’s Halt Hunger Initiative is making its 16-foot refrigerated truck available to local food companies and organizations who feed the needy.
In 2014, United Way of Hancock County’s Halt Hunger Initiative, LPGA Marathon Golf Classic and The ProMedica Advocacy Fund provided funding for the truck. The purpose of the truck is to support local food pantries and other organizations in Hancock County working toward a more food secure community.
“Restaurants and grocery stores who find themselves with food items that are still usable and can be donated can use the truck, free of charge, to get the food to our local pantries,” said Heather Heilman, program and grants coordinator for United Way of Hancock County. “This community vehicle was selected to be volunteer friendly and is readily available to move food to those who need it most.”
There is no special license necessary to drive the truck. Organizations like schools, churches, restaurants and grocery stores can contact Heilman at 419-423-1432 or via email at heather.heilman@uwhancock.org to make arrangements to use the truck.
The goals of the Halt Hunger Initiative are: to support local food programs and providers in their efforts to provide nutritious food to individuals and families in need of food assistance; to assure all those in need have access to food assistance programs; to develop and implement long-term plans for food acquisition, storage capacity and distribution capacity and to educate and equip individuals and families to be food secure.
About United Way of Hancock County:
Although it is a global organization, each United Way is locally governed and focuses on improving lives in each individual community across the country and the world. The mission of United Way of Hancock County is to “measurably improve people’s lives in Hancock County.”
Since its inception in 1955, the organization has gone from doing fundraising for a handful of organizations to partnering with hundreds of programs and services through local nonprofit organizations. Over the past 60 years, United Way of Hancock County has raised more than $76 million dollars for programs and services. Not only does the organization fundraise, but staff members and volunteers are deeply involved in many community committees, collaborative projects and are partnering with other community organizations to address the root causes of social issues in Hancock County.
Today, United Way of Hancock continually works toward a community where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability and healthy lives. The organization strives for a community that fosters hope and opportunity for everyone.