Second Harvest Food Bank Kicks Off Annual Campaign

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley’s 35th Annual Harvest for Hunger Campaign begins Thursday and will run through May 20. 

Harvest for Hunger is an annual food and funds drive designed to help the food bank replenish its shelves during the spring and summer months, when donations typically decline but the need for assistance remains high. Local businesses, schools, organizations and individuals are encouraged to host food and/or fund drives to support the campaign. 

Those interested in participating can contact Barb Presby at 330 792 5522, ext. 111, or visit MahoningValleySecondHarvest.org for more information. 

One of the campaign’s largest initiatives, Check Out Hunger, will run at Giant Eagle and GetGo locations across the region. This cashier-led fundraising effort allows customers to donate $2, $5, $10 or another amount of their choice at the checkout. All funds raised and food collected remain local, benefiting individuals and families in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. 

In 2025, the Harvest for Hunger Campaign raised more than $320,000 and collected over 12,000 pounds of food – providing over 1.6 million meals throughout the Valley. 

Last year, Second Harvest Food Bank distributed 9.7 million pounds of food through its network of 160 partner agencies and programs, helping to provide more than 8.8 million meals across the Valley.