A Legacy of Compassion
The Brookside Hunger Center Story
For over three decades, the Brookside Hunger Center has stood as a beacon of hope in the Clark-Fulton and Brooklyn Centre neighborhoods, providing essential food assistance to those in need. Our journey began as a part of the West Side Ecumenical Ministry and The Centers for Families and Children, evolving over the years into a partnership that now includes the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Cleveland, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and The Hunger Network.
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In 2023 alone, we reached out to 13,744 neighbors across 6,655 households, including 3,760 seniors, 6,779 adults, and 3,205 children. Through the dedication and hard work of our volunteers and partners, we were able to distribute 17,180 food bags, weighing approximately 463,860 lbs in total. This monumental effort was powered by a small but mighty group of dedicated volunteers from parishes such as St. Ladislas, St. Matthias, and St. John Bosco, contributing over 2,310 hours of service. The estimated impact of these efforts on our community exceeds $950,000.
Our ability to serve such a vast number of individuals and families is a testament to the financial and visionary support of the our partners, donors, and volunteers. This support has not only sustained us but also propelled the Brookside Hunger Center into a pioneering role within the Greater Cleveland area. By embracing modern technology, such as the SmartChoice digital pantry platform, we have been able to meet the growing demand and make our services more accessible and efficient.
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The Brookside Hunger Center's story is one of community, resilience, and innovation. It's a story about coming together to support our neighbors in need, using every resource at our disposal to fight food insecurity and make a difference in the lives of countless individuals and families. As we look to the future, we remain committed to our mission of serving with compassion, dignity, and respect, ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry