What is it: The holidays are a time to celebrate tradition, and for the past 40 years, people in our community have been supporting their neighbors with the annual Holiday Cheer campaign.
Food and funds raised for Holiday Cheer have provided millions of nutritious meals for families struggling to make ends meet. The campaign started on Nov. 21 and will run through Christmas Eve.
“Anyone can make the holidays better for those that may need a little extra help this year,” says Julie Chase-Morefield, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio via a recent press release. “A $5 donation can provide 35 meals to those in need. You can’t enjoy this special time of year if you are worried about where your next meal is coming from.”
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This year's Holiday Cheer campaign runs through Dec. 24.Why is it important: Every dollar raised through Holiday Cheer is distributed to Second Harvest’s 120 partner charities that run food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. Last year, the campaign raised $90,316, providing over 632,000 meals to local families. The goal for 2023 is $100,000, providing 700,000 meals to Crawford, Erie, Huron and Lorain counties.
WOBL/ WDLW in Oberlin has partnered with
Second Harvest on Holiday Cheer since 1983 and has been instrumental in its success. Over the years, the campaign has raised approximately $1,514,226 and provided 7,773,203 meals.
“WOBL/WDLW has been a part of Holiday Cheer since the beginning, and we plan on continuing that tradition,” says Gary Tollett, owner of WOBL/WDLW Radio via the press release. “We’re a local community radio station, and it’s important to us to give back to the community. As the leader in Lorain County radio, I know our listeners will step up and help as much as they can when we go on the air and ask for their help to reach our goal.”
How to get involved: - Dec. 8: Tune in when WOBL/WDLW hosts a Lock-In. Gary and Jimbo will lock the doors and broadcast from 7am to midnight, trying to raise $10,000 in one day. You can drop off canned goods and non-perishable items at the station located at 45624 US Highway 20 in Oberlin or donate online at www.secondharvestfoodbank.org.
- Dec. 15-17: For Match Weekend, every donation will be matched by several local sponsors up to $10,000, doubling your impact.
- Any day: Donate through Dec. 24 to spread some Holiday Cheer to your neighbors and friends.
WOBL/WDLW will accept non-perishable food items or cash donations for Holiday Cheer. The food drive will run through Dec. 15, and all donations can be dropped off at the radio stations from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The “Super Six” most needed foods include breakfast cereal, peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned tuna or chicken, canned soups or stews and canned entrees.
For information about the Holiday Cheer campaign, please visit
Second Harvest’s website or call 440-960-2265 ext. 307.
About Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio: As the area’s largest hunger-relief organization, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio grows hope in our region by creating pathways for nutritious food and envisions a brighter future for all by cultivating a healthy, hunger-free community.
Second Harvest secures and distributes nearly 11 million pounds of food and grocery products annually and works in partnership with 125-member partner charities and 10+ school districts, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, Mobile School pantries, after-school programs, Mobile Produce Pantries and Mobile Pantries.