Second Harvest Food Bank

What Second Harvest Food Bank does

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio is a 501(c)(3) regional nonprofit food bank founded in 1982 and headquartered in Lorain, Ohio. The organization acquires, stores, and distributes nutritious food through a network of more than 150 partner charities and programs — including food pantries, hot meal programs, shelters, school pantries, and mobile drive-thru distributions — serving food-insecure residents across Crawford, Erie, Huron, and Lorain counties in North Central Ohio. Its core technology is the FreshTrak online directory (third-party hosted at freshtrak.com), which enables individuals to locate nearby food resources and check eligibility; otherwise the operation runs on traditional logistics, volunteer labor, and community partnerships rather than proprietary technology. Programs include the Senior Box monthly home-delivery program for homebound seniors, the School Pantry Program, SNAP enrollment assistance, the Mobile Food Pantry, and the Food Forward Lorain initiative, supported by signature annual campaigns (Harvest for Hunger, Holiday Cheer, Generous Helpings, Hunger Action Month).

The organization's revenue model is donation-based: individuals, corporations, foundations, and government channels contribute cash and food, with the organization stating that every $1 donated provides six nutritious meals. Funding is diversified across individual giving (one-time, monthly, stock, workplace, planned), community food and fund drives, corporate sponsorships and Hunger Hero/presenting sponsorships (Nordson, Bettcher, Sherwin-Williams, Walmart, Kroger, Giant Eagle, Cleveland Clinic, and others), and grants. Its go-to-market motion is community-led: regional radio partnerships, social media (@SecondHarvestOH), Fresh Thoughts content marketing, email, and direct corporate development relationships feed a fundraising pipeline that supports downstream food distribution through partner charities. Recent operational momentum is significant — food-pantry household visits rose 32% year-over-year, Cleveland Clinic committed $2.5 million, and the Harvest for Hunger 2026 campaign targets 3.9 million meals across 21 counties — though the organization faces structural demand-side pressure as 1 in 7 residents and 1 in 5 children in its service area experience food insecurity.

Name

Second Harvest Food Bank

Legal name

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio

Website

https://secondharvestfoodbank.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio is a 501(c)(3) regional nonprofit founded in 1982 that distributes nutritious food through 150+ partner charities to food-insecure residents across four Ohio counties, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Bank and Hunger Relief Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Assistance & Food Banks (BPAGAEAA)

Keywords

• Food bank services
• Hunger relief programs
• Food distribution network
• Community nutrition assistance
• Nonprofit food assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Lorain

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Monetary donations from individuals, with $1 providing 6 meals to neighbors in need. Includes one-time gifts, monthly contributions, gifts of stock and securities, workplace giving, and planned giving options.
2. Food Drives and Fundraising Events: Community food and fund drives, annual events including Harvest for Hunger campaign, Generous Helpings fundraiser, Holiday Cheer campaign, and Hunger Action Month activities.
3. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and major gifts from organizations like Cleveland Clinic ($2.5 million commitment), presented sponsors of events, and Hunger Hero sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio acquires, stores, and distributes nutritious food to fight hunger across Crawford, Erie, Huron, and Lorain Counties in Ohio. It delivers this core offering through a network of more than 150 partner charities and programs (food pantries, hot meal programs, shelters), supported by programs such as Mobile Food Pantry distributions, the School Pantry Program, the Senior Box Program, and SNAP enrollment assistance, with the FreshTrak online directory helping neighbors find resources.

Product overview

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio operates as a regional food bank distributing food through a network of over 150 partner charities and programs across four counties. The organization offers multiple food assistance programs including the Mobile Food Pantry, School Pantry Program, Senior Box Program (monthly delivery for homebound seniors), SNAP Assistance, and the Food Forward Lorain initiative. Key campaigns include Harvest for Hunger (annual food and fund drive), Holiday Cheer (November-December holiday assistance), Generous Helpings (annual restaurant fundraiser), and Hunger Action Month. The FreshTrak online platform enables neighbors to find food resources and check eligibility. All programs operate through partner charities including food pantries, hot meal programs, and shelters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mobile Food Pantry (Drive-Thru Mobile Pantry) Mobile drive-thru food distribution program that brings food directly to communities across the four-county region, providing accessible food distribution without requiring neighbors to visit a fixed pantry site.
• School Pantry Program Food pantry services located in schools to provide food access for food-insecure students and their families.
• Senior Box Program Monthly food box delivery program designed for homebound seniors who cannot easily travel to traditional food distribution sites.
• SNAP Assistance Assistance program helping eligible individuals apply for and access federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
• Harvest for Hunger Campaign Annual community-wide campaign that raises food and funds to stock food pantries, hot meal programs, and shelters across the four-county service region (and broader 21-county Northern Ohio area for the regional edition).
• Holiday Cheer Campaign Annual holiday-season campaign providing nutritious meals to local families in need, running November 24 through December 24 each year.
• Generous Helpings Annual Fundraiser Annual fundraising event featuring local restaurants and caterers to raise awareness and dollars for hunger relief in the four-county service region.
• Hunger Action Month Campaign September awareness campaign, part of Feeding America's nationwide initiative, to inspire community action and raise awareness about hunger in the United States.
• Food Forward Lorain Initiative focused on expanding food access specifically in Lorain County.
• Partner Charities Program Network of more than 150 partner organizations, including food pantries, hot meal programs, and shelters, that distribute food to neighbors in need across the four-county region.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1 = 6 nutritious meals provided
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Cleveland CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2026Cleveland Clinic expanded its partnership with Second Harvest through a $2.5 million commitment to support hunger relief efforts. The funds help increase access to nutritious food, expand capacity, and improve health outcomes in the region. Cleveland Clinic also sponsors the Generous Helpings event and operates Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital as a Hunger Hero sponsor.
• Feeding AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeeding America is the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Second Harvest is affiliated with Feeding America, participating in national campaigns like Hunger Action Month and accessing shared resources and advocacy support.
• Ohio Association of FoodbankscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level association supporting Ohio's food banks. Second Harvest participates in state advocacy efforts and receives support for increased Ohio Food Banks funding.
• Rotary District 6600flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerRotary District 6600 serves as the 2026 Harvest for Hunger Honorary Champion. Multiple Rotary clubs including Bellevue, Bucyrus, Elyria Noon, Elyria Sunrise, Huron, Lorain, Milan, New London, North Coast, Norwalk, Oberlin, Sandusky, and Vermilion participate in campaign support.
• Nordson CorporationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNordson Corporation is a presenting sponsor of Generous Helpings 2025 and hosts the event at the Nordson Food Distribution Center. Key corporate partner supporting hunger relief fundraising.
• Bettcher Industries, Inc.flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Generous Helpings 2025. Major corporate supporter of the annual hunger relief fundraiser.
• Medical MutualcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Generous Helpings 2025. Health insurance company supporting regional hunger relief efforts.
• Janotta & HernercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Generous Helpings 2025. Construction company supporting hunger relief in the community.
• Sherwin-WilliamscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Generous Helpings 2025. Major corporate sponsor supporting regional food bank operations.
• Heidelberg Distributing Co.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHunger Hero sponsor of Generous Helpings 2025 and corporate food donor. Beverage distribution company supporting food bank through food and fund donations.
• Giant EaglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCheck Out Hunger partner at multiple store locations. Food donor and corporate sponsor supporting food bank campaigns.
• KrogercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCheck Out Hunger partner. Food donor and corporate sponsor supporting food bank campaigns and food drives.
• WalmartcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHunger Hero sponsor of Generous Helpings 2025. Food donor and major corporate supporter of food bank operations.
• TargetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHunger Hero sponsor of Generous Helpings 2025. Retail partner supporting food bank through food donations and fundraising.
• Costco WholesalecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHunger Hero sponsor of Generous Helpings 2025. Wholesale retailer food donor supporting food bank operations.
• LubrizolcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHunger Hero sponsor of Generous Helpings 2025 and corporate food donor. Chemical company supporting regional hunger relief.
• Bendix CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHunger Hero sponsor of Generous Helpings 2025. Commercial vehicle systems company supporting community food programs.
• Kalahari Resorts & ConventionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant participant and Hunger Hero sponsor at Generous Helpings 2025. Resort supporting food bank through event participation and donations.
• ALDI Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple ALDI store locations (Amherst, Avon, Bucyrus, Elyria, North Ridgeville, Norwalk, Oberlin, Sandusky, Sheffield Village) serve as food donors supporting food bank operations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: National network of which Second Harvest is an affiliate; provides shared branding, advocacy, and food sourcing — a broader incumbent that sets standards and channels national campaigns.

Direct peers

• Capital Area Food Bank: Washington DC-area Feeding America affiliate distributing food through partner pantries, mobile markets, and direct service programs; comparable in regional scope and multi-channel distribution strategy.
• Oregon Food Bank: Regional Feeding America affiliate operating a partner agency network with mobile distributions and nutrition programs; directly comparable in mission, partner-led distribution model, and community-led GTM.
• Greater Cleveland Food Bank: Regional Feeding America-affiliated food bank serving Northeast Ohio; directly comparable as a fellow Ohio-based nonprofit food bank with corporate partnerships, mobile distributions, and partner charity network model.
• Freestore Foodbank: Cincinnati-based Feeding America affiliate operating partner pantries, mobile distributions, and SNAP outreach; comparable mission, scale, and operating structure as an Ohio regional food bank.
• Foodbank of Santa Barbara County: Regional food bank operating partner pantry networks, senior and school programs, and direct distributions; directly comparable as a regional nonprofit food bank with multi-modal distribution.
• Mid-Ohio Food Collective: Central Ohio Feeding America-affiliated food bank operating partner charity networks, mobile pantries, and SNAP outreach; similar nonprofit food-bank business model with regional corporate sponsorship.
• Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank: Regional Feeding America affiliate serving Summit, Stark, and surrounding counties in Ohio; comparable in scope, mission, distribution model, and corporate sponsorship structure.

Others

• United Way of Greater Lorain County: Adjacent nonprofit in the same Lorain County geography raising funds via workplace giving and corporate partnerships; competes for some of the same donor dollars and corporate sponsorship budget in the region.

Regional players

• West Ohio Food Bank: Regional food bank serving West Central Ohio with a partner agency distribution model; comparable in operating model but covers a different Ohio geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/secondharvestoh
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwB5sCjLqwVj6V2F3eH8h8w
• Instagraminstagram.com/secondharvestoh
• Facebookfacebook.com/SecondHarvestFoodBank

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Second Harvest Food Bank