07-25-25 Update from Mary

Friday, July 25, 2025

Welcome to the last week in July! Hard to believe that our summer days are shirking in sunlight time. Opportunities come and go faster than the speed of light…We all have to work at slowing down and letting God take over as we prayerfully and humbly serve Him.

The NEWS FLASH of this week’s Thursday is that “Hunger Network has named the Cleveland Cavaliers as its 2025 Corporate Partner of the Year, recognizing the organization’s outstanding commitment to fighting hunger and food insecurity across Northeast Ohio. The partnership between Hunger Network and the Cavaliers began in 2023 with a $20,000 grant from the Cavaliers Community Foundation, helping to expand Hunger Network’s capacity and sustainability. Since then, the Cavaliers have supported Hunger Network in several ways including game-day 50/50 raffles, visiting Hunger Network pantries and volunteering to help customers shop at its MidTown Market.

‘Fighting food insecurity is at the heart of our ‘For More Than Profit’ mission at the Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group. It is central to our vision of making a real, positive impact in the lives of people across Northeast Ohio,’ said Nic Barlage, Cleveland Cavaliers, Rock Entertainment Group and Rocket Arena CEO. ‘This commitment is woven into who we are; it is about doing what’s right and making a difference every day we serve this community. We are deeply honored by this recognition from The Hunger Network and look forward to building on our partnership to drive lasting, meaningful outcomes for years to come.’ In October 2024, Hunger Network was asked to join with the Cavaliers, Giant Eagle and two other local food agencies in launching the Cavaliers’ Million Meals Mission. This effort dedicated towards addressing food insecurity in underserved communities across Northeast Ohio aims to provide more than one million meals to community members. The program has seen unprecedented success and will celebrate its final meal count in late August. Most recently, the Cavs pledged 50,000 meals for distribution to the community by Hunger Network.

‘We are honored to partner with the Cavaliers, who share our dedication and passion for fighting food insecurity,’ said Julie M. Johnson, Hunger Network CEO. ‘Together, we’re reaching more people in our work to enhance the food made available to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.’”

This exciting news on 50,000 extra meals for people in our communities is astronomical since the cost of food continues to climb. We must thank God as He leads organizations like the Cleveland Cavaliers to make dynamic contributions that impact thousands of people facing food insecurity.

The SPL Hunger Warriors thank all of you for your continued support through prayer, volunteer hours, special food and snack gifts, and financial donations that have allowed us to send out extra money gifts to our Food Programs this month…Bless each of you as you pray for God’s Blessings on SPL Hunger Warriors, Mary’s Hunger Garden volunteers, and our Madison Avenue Group Home Action Team Project as we create our special gift bags. Be sure to let Ken Krauss know if you and your family have extra time to assist the other garden volunteers or let Mary Levtzow know if you have time to be a substitute driver for hunger deliveries or packer for Action Team Bags…Blessings on your week, Mary & Chico

St. Paul Lutheran Hunger Warriors still need Food Donations throughout the summer months; so, let us all try to bring one or two food items when we are able to attend Church this summer: peanut butter, GRAPE JAM, Stew, Corned Beef, WIDE NOODLES, tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, canned vegetables, CANNED SLICED PEACHES, CEREAL, oatmeal variety packs, SPAM, canned Chicken Breast, RAMEN NOODLES, snacks for children. We need the above food items by Thursday, June 20, for the Immanuel Hunger Program Delivery. Bless you for putting the needs of others as a priority.

SPL Hunger Warriors needs food item donations. Please click the button below to see what else needs to be donated!

• January – Immanuel, Redeemer, Trinity
• February – Parma, Trials For Hope, Church of the Ascension
• March – Calvary Lutheran, New Covenant, St. John Nottingham Food Programs
• April – St. Philips Our Daily Bread
• May – Lorain Cooperative Ministry & Redeemer & Immanuel
• June - Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland – 36th Annual Walk for Hunger – Zoo
• July – Lakewood Community Service Center & North Ridgeville Community Care
• August – Westlake Assistance Program & Faith Lutheran
• September – Parma Hunger & Our Savior Mayfield Heights
• October – Royal Redeemer & Zion Painesville & Christians In Action Olmsted Falls
• November - Redeemer, Immanuel, & Trinity
• December – Christ/Our Savior, & 300 each Center (Which Means that we need $7900 in December)

May the Lord Bless and Keep You Safe as you share Jesus’ Love in your caring purchases to help SPL Hunger Warriors serve its hunger programs. Much Love In Christ’s Service, Mary & Chico.