‘Great Grocery Giveaway’ Brings Hundreds to Tri-C Western Campus

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging works with College to distribute boxes of food

Halle Slaughter works two jobs to help make ends meet — and still, the single mother says it’s a struggle at times. She worries about simple things like whether there’s enough food in the pantry. 

That’s why she joined the line of cars streaming onto the Western Campus of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C^®) for the “Great Grocery Giveaway.” 

More than 900 boxes of food and supplies were distributed to families during the Jan. 27 event, which was sponsored by the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA). Volunteers started early given the crowd that built before the 10 a.m. start. 

“This food box will help immensely,” said Slaughter, who enrolled at Tri-C last fall to begin working toward a degree in nursing. “It takes one thing off my plate to worry about.” 

The College partnered with the WRAAA on the giveaway as part of an ongoing effort to fill food security gaps in the community that worsened during the pandemic and resulting economic crisis. The WRAA held similar giveaways in four other counties. 

Each box was filled with approximately $60 worth of groceries and essential supplies. Contents included items such as pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned tuna, peanut butter, jelly, bread and assorted household cleaning items. 

Community members joined Tri-C students at Western Campus for the giveaway. The College also operates food banks at its campuses to assist students in need.

January 27, 2021

John Horton, 216-987-4281 john.horton@tri-c.edu