Liberty Center, Reach Out Lakota involved in ‘food fight’


HOW TO PARTICIPATE

The Corporate Food Fight will run from June 1-17. The deadline to register a company to participate is May 29.

To register, email J. Peyton Gravely, fundraising and donor relations coordinator at Reach Out Lakota, at jpgravely@reachoutlakota.org.

A partnership between Reach Out Lakota and Liberty Center has led to a food fight — but that’s a good thing.

The two are teaming up for Corporate Food Fight, a charity fundraiser to see which business in West Chester or Liberty townships can raise the most funds and food donations in 17 days.

The donations will benefit Reach Out Lakota’s Summer Food Initiative, which helps keep shelves stocked during the summer months, when donations traditionally drop off, officials said.

“Reach Out Lakota normally sees a drop in its food donations in the summer, because the Lakota School District provides about 80 percent of the donations,” said Kevin Cedik, general manager of Liberty Center.

When schools release for summer break, Reach Out Lakota not only sees a large drop in donations, but also an equally large upswing in need and requests.

Some families struggle in the summer months when children who were fed during the school year under a free and reduced meal program are at home.

“The Corporate Food Fight will be a fun, novel way to keep our shelves stocked and meet the increased demands for summer food assistance,” said Lourdes Ward, executive director and CEO of Reach Out Lakota. “This will give our local businesses an easy way to give their neighbors sufficient food while their children are home from school.”

The Corporate Food Fight will run from June 1-17. The deadline to register a company to participate is May 29.

“Liberty Center and its tenants are excited about helping Reach Out Lakota with this fundraiser, especially at this time of need,” Cedik said.

Reach Out Lakota is one of six recipients for Liberty Center Foundation’s Change for Charity, he said.

Six non-profit organizations benefit from a portion of the parking meter proceeds generated in a two-month span at Liberty Center.

Each nonprofit is designated as the highlighted charity for two months and during that time receives exposure via Liberty Center LED screens and signage, according to the $350 million mixed use complex’s website.

In addition to Reach Out Lakota, the other Change for Charity recipients in 2016 are: The Dragonfly Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty, Talbert House, Every Child Succeeds and Edge Teen Center.

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