Advocates push free school meals

Carissa Woytach

Ahead of state budget talks, advocates are pushing for free school meals for all students.

The Hunger-Free Schools Ohio coalition hosted a virtual news conference Monday morning, calling on state legislators to make free meals available to all students, regardless of familial income.

Spearheaded by the Ohio Education Association and Children’s Defense Fund, the effort comes after two years of expanded access to meals during the pandemic ended with the 2022-23 school year.

Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro said the evidence is clear: Students can’t learn

Harvest for Hunger campaign kick off March 2

KEVIN MARTIN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio will kick off its 2023 Harvest for Hunger campaign on March 2 with the goal of raising 3 million meals in support of its four-county service area.

The Harvest for Hunger kick-off event will take place at Second Harvest Food Bank, 5500 Baumhart Road in Lorain. The event will include a short program with comments from this year’s honorary chairperson, Sundaram “Naga” Nagarajan, president and CEO of Nordson Corp.

“We know we have individuals and families with children right here in our community who are hungry,” Nagarajan said.

“When you are hungry and do not know where your next meal will come from, everything else becomes secondary. Couple that need with inflation hitting a 40-year high, and there has never been a more important time to give. I am proud to serve as the Honorary Chair of the 2023 Harvest for Hunger Campaign and rally businesses and organizations in our community to join this important effort to help our entire community to combat hunger and create access to nutritious meals.”

The annual campaign is a collaborative effort to help raise funds and restock local food pantries. The campaign encompasses two major components: group campaigns and “Check Out Hunger” with more than 120 businesses, schools, organizations and families holding food and donation drives throughout March, April and May.

Supermarket shoppers can scan a $1, $5 or $10 coupon at the register to support Harvest for Hunger through “Check Out Hunger.” Participating supermarkets include Giant Eagle, Heinen’s Fine Foods and Buehler’s Fresh Foods.

In working with Nordson Corp. for the 2023 campaign, Second Harvest President and CEO Julie Chase-Morefield said the on empty stomachs.

Katherine Unger, Ohio policy associate with The Children’s Defense Fund, agreed. She recently wrote a white paper looking at child hunger in Ohio, noting as many as a quarter of kids in some counties live in a county that faces hunger. But more than a third of students who live in a household facing food insecurity don’t qualify for school meals, her research showed.

And even when students are eligible to receive free meals, about a third don’t access them due to stigma surrounding the program, she said.

Outside of the pandemic, free and reduced school lunch availability is based on individual household income, unless a school building or district qualifies for a federal Community Eligibility Provision because it serves a lowincome area.

But a Baldwin-Wallace University survey found Ohio caregivers want to expand that access, Unger said.

About 87 percent of respondents believed school meals should be provided for all children, she said, and another 82 percent agreed the meals are helpful for families — regardless of their political affiliation or socioeconomic status.

In Lorain County, Wellington Schools parent Megan Thompson said her family is able to pack lunches, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t see the need within her district.

Comets come together

KRISTIN BAUER | The Chronicle-Telegram

TOP: Amherst Steele High School’s team cheered from the bench while participating in the Unified Special Olympics basketball tournament at Lorain High School on Thursday, February 16. Four teams, Lorain High School, Elyria High School, Marion L. Steele High School, and May S. Hayes High School (Cleveland), gathered in Lorain to participate in the event.

LEFT: Amherst Steele High School’s Jericho Bailey (45) takes a shot while playing in the Unified Special Olympics basketball tournament at Lorain High School.

Paul J. Molesky, Sr.

Paul J. Molesky, Sr., passed away peacefully Saturday, February 18, 2023 in Wellington. Paul was born November 18, 1946 to Paul and Helen (Jacob) Molesky.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, David Molesky.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Constance Molesky; sister, Sue Molesky; children, Paul (Heather Lyle) Molesky, Kelly Molesky (Todd Eaton) and Todd Molesky. Paul is also survived by his grandchildren, Justin, Maia, and Hazel; great-grandchild, Justin Jr.; plus many nieces and nephews.

He was a graduate of Bedford High School and then attended Lindsey Wilson College and Western Kentucky University where he met his wife. Paul had a passion for nature and the outdoors. He loved fishing and sleeping under the stars. He was an active participant in the Boy Scouts of America, earning his Life Scout badge. He remained involved with the organization, serving as a volunteer, troop leader, and local commissioner for several years.

Paul’s favorite time of the year was Christmas. He portrayed Santa Claus in the Wellington community for over 40 years, hearing generations of Christmas hopes and wishes. Paul spread joy wherever he went. Paul, above all else, was a family man. He was happiest surrounded by his loved ones. Whether he was a husband, brother, dad, grandpa, uncle Moe or friend he will be missed.

A casual and loving Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mill on Main, 95 S. Main St., Oberlin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s memory to Boy Scouts of America: Lake Erie Council, BSA, P.O. Box 93388, Cleveland, OH 44101-5388.

Roy McClurg

A Graveside service for Roy McClurg, 65, will be held Saturday, February 25, beginning at 10 a.m. at Wellington Greenwood Cemetery.

Roy was a lifelong Wellington resident and 1976 graduate of Wellington High School. He passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

A full obituary and expressions of sympathy may be found at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.

Letter to the editor

Democracy and the American system of government depends on an informed citizenry who think logically and understand science, history and government. This is why our forefathers saw education as critical to the maintenance of our Constitutional system. Our various medias of information, including TV and radio are expected to be sources of quality information.

When a “news” corporation deliberately misinforms their viewers they are no longer serving the public good as a source of information.

Unfortunately, Fox viewers have been mislead by the producers, executives, and the stars of the Fox Network. They knowingly broadcast misinformation of a “stolen” election because they saw their viewership drifting to other channels. Therefore, Fox corporation took up a banner to support the lies and innuendos of the Trump campaign.

Even internal memos of fact checks of the Fox corporation demonstrate that claims of election fraud were incorrect and without merit. Fox has long failed to serve the public information good. The current emails,the internal memos comments of their employees, demonstrate that the “news” corporation is no more than a source of fantasy entertainment.

Jane Sidwell-Coniam Avon Lake

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Brian Roy Mahoney Palfrey

Brian Roy Mahoney Palfrey, 88, died Monday, February 13, 2023. Born in Swansea, South Wales on July 21, 1934, Brian moved to the U.S. in 1977 and spent several years in Florida.

A coal miner in his early years, he later began working in Tamworth, UK at Foseco. At Foseco, Brian then became a director of engineering for the company, moving to Strongsville.

He had a quiet, but distinguished, presence and striking blue eyes. A hard worker, Brian always tried to improve himself and he never complained. Brian loved to read, was a fan of Formula 1 racing and Aston Villa FC. On Fridays, he enjoyed pizza and every Saturday was a picnic with cheese (stilton being a favorite) and a baguette. One of his favorite pastimes was sitting with his wife, Margaret, watching Wheel of Fortune and holding hands. Brian is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Margaret (nee Titmus) Palfrey; children, Michele (Huw)

Morgan of Wales, Deborah (Mark) Lansman of Wellington, Gary (Jamie)

Palfrey of Seattle, and Lisa (Ken) Hall of Olmsted Falls; 13 grandchildren, Melissa, Thomas, Kenny, Drew, Austin, Kyden, Sam, Sammy Jo, Nevaeh, Alysia, Brandon, Liam and Gabby and four great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Elizabeth, Dominic and Liam.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Iris (nee Marney) Palfrey and brother, Terry. A private family service will be held. Expressions of sympathy may be given to his family at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com