Posts with tag 'Nonprofits'

Food banks play an important role in communities throughout Ohio, providing food and support for those in need. Given the challenges of the past year, more people than ever before need support from local food banks. Whether you volunteer your time or make a donation, food banks across Ohio need support from the community to help as many people as possible. Even a small donation can make a big difference in the life of someone in need, so we've put together a guide to 8 Ohio food banks where you can show your support and make a positive difference in the community.

Greater Cleveland Food Bank

15500 S. Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH 44110

Northeast Ohio is home to a wide variety of food banks, including the large Greater Cleveland Food Bank, which serves more than 400,000 people per year. In addition to providing meals and fresh produce, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank works to help people in need sign up for programs that can help them find long-term solutions to food insecurity. There are many ways that you can get involved, by making a planned donation, monthly donation, or contribution of non-perishable food items. There are also volunteer opportunities available in a wide variety of positions, from loading/unloading food to using specialized skills to help with large administrative projects within the food bank.

Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

350 Opportunity Pkwy., Akron, OH 44307

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The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank has been serving eight counties around both cities for nearly 40 years by storing and distributing food to a large group of smaller food pantries in the area. With 83,000 square feet of warehouse space and 8,000 square feet of freezer space, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank can serve more than 500 food pantries, shelters, and other non-profit organizations in the region. This foodbank is always accepting donations of food and funds, so it's easy to give back in a way that works for you. You can also volunteer in various support roles at the warehouse or help with food distribution in local communities.

Second Harvest Food Bank

5510 Baumhart Rd., Lorain, OH 44053

In its more than 35 years of serving Northeast Ohio communities, the Second Harvest Food Bank has distributed nearly 100 million pounds of food to those in need. The food bank distributes food to an organized network of food pantries and charity organizations throughout Northeast Ohio. Thanks to a new facility built in Lorain, Second Harvest Food Bank has tripled its capacity for food storage. You can help distribute all of that extra food or make a donation to ensure that the warehouse shelves are always stocked. The organization also needs volunteers to help package food backpacks, along with packages for senior centers and mobile food pantries.

NNEMAP Food Pantry

667 E. 11th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211

NNEMAP Food Pantry is part of a coordinated network of food pantries in Columbus and beyond. While many food pantries distribute food based on ZIP codes, NNEMAP Food Pantry makes its services available to anyone who lives in Columbus regardless of where in the city they're located. Volunteers here help with food insecurity, hygiene products, food stamp access, and healthcare needs. You can make a difference as a delivery driver, client interviewer, inventory assistant, or a fundraiser. NNEMAP also accepts help from volunteer groups, if your friends, colleagues, or family would like to help contribute to a positive cause.

Worthington Resource Pantry

6700 Huntley Rd., Columbus, OH 43229

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Based in Columbus, the Worthington Resource Pantry serves southern Delaware and northern Franklin counties. In addition to nutritious food, the Worthington Resource Pantry also distributes many essential personal care items to those in need. With a small leadership team and a large, dedicated group of volunteers, this food bank is able to reach more people every year. You can volunteer to help sort and package food, in order to make the distribution process as smooth as possible. The Worthington Resource Pantry also welcomes donations of food, funds, and personal care items.

Mid-Ohio Foodbank On-Site Pantry

3960 Brookham Dr., Grove City, OH 43123

The Mid-Ohio Foodbank On-Site Pantry is part of the larger Mid-Ohio Foodbank network, serving local communities in various ways for more than 40 years. The network is one of the largest of its kind in Ohio and reaches communities throughout the state through more than 680 partner organizations in addition to its own food pantry. With such a large network, there are many ways that you can get involved. Your donations of non-perishable food or funds are always welcome, with every donation playing a small part in distributing more than 140,000 meals every day. There are also many volunteer opportunities available, both at the On-Site Pantry and at other Mid-Ohio Foodbank locations around the state.

Freestore Foodbank

1141 Central Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45202

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The Freestore Foodbank has a variety of locations around the Cincinnati area, including its main location on Central Parkway. This large food bank is part of the Feeding America network, with a variety of unique ways to contribute in addition to volunteering or donating directly. You can arrange a virtual food drive to raise money online, or participate in events like the Virtual Hunger Walk to help raise money for a diverse collection of local organizations which are working to address food insecurity around Cincinnati.

SEM Food Pantry

2020 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230

The SEM Food Pantry provides support for those in need who are located in eastern Hamilton County and Clermont County, while establishing partnerships with other local organizations including the Freestore Foodbank. SEM Food Pantry operates a client-choice food pantry, which allows members to select their food as if they were at the store. You can volunteer to help by answering phones, helping clients choose food, stocking shelves, and collecting donations. If you aren't able to volunteer, donations of food and funds are crucial in helping SEM Food Pantry serve the community.

Lending a Hand

Every little bit adds up, so how will you show your love to organizations that work every day to make a difference in the lives of those in need?

Could you spare a pint of blood for those in need throughout Columbus?

Believe it or not, you can "bleed" for a good cause without any pain or discomfort. In fact, a few minutes sitting on a comfortable chair is all that's needed to save a number of lives. Donating blood is one of the easiest, yet most selfless acts that you can do. If you've never donated blood before or haven't in a few years, now is the perfect time to perform such a heroic deed.

June 14th, 2020, is World Blood Donor Day. Organized by the World Health Organization, World Blood Donor Day is an annual event designed to raise awareness and spread education about the many benefits of blood donation. This international celebration unites us all in a quest to preserve the wellbeing of our communities with the life-saving gift of blood.

World Blood Donor Day began in 2004 in an attempt to raise awareness of the need for safe, clean blood, as well as to recognize the many selfless donors who voluntarily save the lives of thousands by simply donating their blood a few times each year.

Why are Blood Donations so Vital?

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Vincenzo D'Anniballe (@vincype) on Jan 11, 2018 at 12:48pm PST

Think about how much any donation can impact a community. A few dollars can feed a person struggling with homelessness, a few donated clothing can help a family, and a few hours of volunteering can benefit countless members of our society. While time, money, and effort can go a long way in helping our fellow neighbors, blood donations can make quite an impact in ways that we may not even realize.

Like other donations, blood donations are used in a variety of ways. In some cases, donated blood is used in planned medical treatments such as blood transfusions. Donated blood is also used to facilitate urgent medical interventions, such as when an individual has lost a significant volume of their own blood due to an accident, injury, or natural disaster.

What many individuals, even some donors, don't know is that blood is also used for healthcare in other, long-term ways. Many blood donations are saved in a blood bank for future use while others are sent overseas to countries that do not have safe or sufficient quantities of blood. Blood plasma donations can also be used for other medical treatments.

Facts About Blood Donations

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Red Cross Central/Southern OH (@buckeyeredcross) on Jun 17, 2019 at 10:05am PDT

When you donate blood, every drop counts. While it may seem odd to think that something every human has is in short supply around the world, the reality is that there are thousands if not millions of men, women, and children across the globe that cannot obtain the clean, safe blood that they desperately need to restore their health. Here are a few vital facts about blood donations that we believe you should know:

• A single blood donation can save as many as three lives.
  
  
• Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood donation.
  
  
• 62 percent of the population is ineligible to donate blood.
  
  
• Type O blood is the most requested blood by hospitals, because Type O negative can be given to all blood types, but only 7 percent of the population in the United States are Type 0 negative.
  
  
• Blood cannot be manufactured artificially; it must be donated from volunteers.
  
  
• Over 117 million blood donations are collected around the world each year.
  
  
• Over 65 countries collect less than 10 donations per 1,000 people.
  
  
• Blood transfusions account for 75 percent of adults over the age of 65 in high-income countries.
  
  
• Nearly 80 countries around the world rely on voluntary unpaid blood donations for 90-100 percent of their blood supply.
  
  
• Blood transfusions account for 52 percent of children under the age of 5 in low-income countries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Donations

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nimisha Bajaj (@thenimster) on Apr 2, 2020 at 8:50am PDT

Would you like to learn more about donating blood? Here are a few frequently asked questions prospective donors inquire about via the American Red Cross:

• How old do I need to be to give blood?
  Most states require a donor be 17 years of age or older, but some states do allow 16-year-old individuals to donate with parental consent.
  
  
• How often can I donate blood?
  A donor may donate blood at most once every 8 to 16 weeks.
  
  
• Does donating blood hurt?
  When the needle is inserted into your arm, you may feel a quick, small pinch.
  
  
• When will my body regenerate my blood?
  While your red blood cells require around six weeks to regenerate, your plasma will regenerate within one day.
  
  
• How long does a blood donation take?
  On average, the actually donating process takes around 10 minutes. However, the registration process and recovery process will add time to your visit. Budget around one full hour to complete the full process.

June Blood Drives Around Columbus

Saturday, June 13, 2020

• Polaris Fashion Place
  1540 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240

Sunday, June 14, 2020

• New Life Church
  3690 N. Stygler Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230

Monday, June 15, 2020

• American Red Cross
  995 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

• Mount Carmel New Albany Surgical Hospital
  7277 Smiths Mill Rd., New Albany, OH 43054

Friday, June 19, 2020

• Molina Healthcare
  3000 Corporate Exchange Dr., Columbus, OH 43231

Note that many locations may require signup prior to donating, but these blood donation events are far from the only opportunities for donation. Nearly every day of the year, there's a way for you to donate blood around the Columbus area. There are also a number of blood buses that schedule frequent stops at popular locations such as shopping plazas, community centers, and school campuses.

Be a Life Saver

Have you ever donated blood before? Tell us about your experience in the comments below and give other donors the support and advice you think will help make their experience as positive as possible.

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