Hundreds of Greater Clevelanders are able to enjoy fresh produce thanks to the efforts of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland.
Fredy Robles, Catholic Charities’ chief program officer, said 14 pallets of produce – 700 boxes -- were received and distributed this week.
The Bishop William Cosgrove Center in downtown Cleveland, an emergency services ministry of Catholic Charities, received its produce on June 16. The St. Augustine Hunger Center at St. Augustine Parish in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood – which also is under the Catholic Charities umbrella – received its shipment the following day.
Robles said Catholic Charities USA received a small portion of a large grant through the United States Department of Agriculture in response to an increased need for food due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Eric Milkie, program director at the Cosgrove Center, said each pre-packed box included carrots, onions, a head of cabbage, a head of lettuce, celery, a bag of apples and a bag of potatoes.
“People have been very appreciative,” Robles said.
The grant is also supplying food banks, Robles said, so some local Catholic Charities programs already received small quantities of the same free produce boxes through their food bank orders.
Milkie said the Cosgrove Center set up food pantries on June 17 and 19 so people could stop by to pick up a box of produce.
“It was a nice surprise,” Milkie said of the fresh produce. He noted Cosgrove Center also received several hundred gallons of milk in a previous shipment. The milk is another item Cosgrove clients and other needy people appreciated, he added.
Robles said Catholic Charities’ officials are working through the logistics for the next delivery at a date to be determined.