Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley announced that it is receiving a $9,000 grant from Sheetz For the Kidz, a charitable organization driven by the employees of Sheetz.

The grant will help provide hunger relief to children in Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties.

The grant will be used to support more than 40 School Pantry programs across the Mahoning Valley.

As a result of the pandemic, Second Harvest Food Bank has seen an increased need in the community.

In the Mahoning Valley, 1 in 4 children are food insecure.

In 2020, the School Pantry program recorded nearly 28,000 visits from children in the community.

Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, a member of the Feeding America network, is one of 27 food banks to receive this funding from Sheetz For the Kidz.

This grant will ensure the Food Bank's School Pantry program will continue to be a resource for children who are at risk of hunger.

"We greatly appreciate the continued support from Sheetz For the Kidz" said Michael Iberis, executive director, Second Harvest Food Bank. "This generous donation will enable the Food Bank to provide 54,000 meals to children in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties through the School Pantry program," added Iberis.

"More than ever, there is a need to address food insecurity in the communities in which we operate," said Executive Director of Sheetz For the Kidz, Brittany Funcheon. "Through this donation, Sheetz For the Kidz will proudly support child hunger programs including Mobile and School Pantries, Backpack Programs and Summer Feeding."