LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Thousands of dollars were donated to a local food pantry aiming to ensure area veterans do not go hungry.
A little over $3,700 was donated to the Veterans Food Pantry of Northwest Ohio. The money was raised by Reineke Family Dealerships and the Lima UAW Local 1219 during their 7th annual Veterans’ Car Show earlier in October. Additional funds from the Ford “Drive 4 Your Community” event, not included in Tuesday’s donation, will be contributed at a later time. Both Reineke and the UAW said it feels wonderful to help keep food on the table for veterans.
“It's a good thing to have for the veterans. You know, we have to serve for the veterans. The food pantry doesn't open until 1 o'clock in the afternoon, and they line up about 9:30, 10 o'clock, so it's a needed resource, and the food pantry solely runs on donations,” says Jeff Adams, President, Lima UAW Local 1219.
“Hundreds of people benefit from this donation just from the food and everything that it provides. And we're going into the fall, and we're going into the holiday seasons so we're extremely happy to be able to do it, especially now. Really help those in need,” says Greg Dell, Marketing Manager, Reineke Family Dealerships.
Betsy Potts, director of the Veterans Food Pantry, said the money will help purchase nonperishable foods while also preparing for the upcoming holiday season.
“It's very important, especially at this time of the year, where we try to make Christmas a little bit special, and this will go for some special items just for the "Christmas in December holidays,”” says Betsy Potts, Director, Veterans Food Pantry of Northwest Ohio.
The food pantry is also continuing to search for a new location after the property was sold by Mercy Health Saint Rita’s. Potts said several locations have been considered, but a new space has not yet been secured.
