Golfers enjoy beautiful lake weather at Catawba Island Club on a recent Saturday. On Monday, Aug. 28, the golf course will serve as the venue for a Toledo Food Bank fundraiser. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Without the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, thousands of Ottawa County residents would go hungry. Over the last ten years alone, the Toledo Food Bank has provided 2,390,080 pounds of food to Ottawa County. That food provided meals for 57,023 households, including 30,694 children.

The Toledo Food Bank is asking for help to meet the rising costs of servicing Ottawa County, but they’ve found a way to make helping fun. On Monday, Aug. 28, the Toledo Food Bank will host the Catawba Island Golf Classic + Country BBQ fundraiser at the Catawba Island Club (CIC). Proceeds from the event will help fight hunger in Northwest Ohio.

“This is to raise funds for the food bank to service the community directly,” said Katie Winter, Programs Manager for the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank.

The golf outing will benefit the Harvest Market Program and service agencies in Ottawa County which distribute food.

“The Harvest Market Program is like a store on wheels,” said James Caldwell, President and CEO of Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank. “We send it to areas that don’t have adequate retail stores.”

The golf outing will help Ottawa County’s seven service agencies that partner with the Toledo Food Bank to provide food for local families in need. They are Seed Faith Food Pantry in Gypsum, Elliston Zion United Methodist Church, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Port Clinton, Oak House in Port Clinton, St. Paul United Church of Christ in Oak Harbor, St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Port Clinton, and Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center.

CUTLINE: The Toledo Food Bank will host the Catawba Island Golf Classic + Country BBQ fundraiser at the Catawba Island Club on Monday, Aug. 28. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Doors open at CIC for the Catawba Island Golf Classic + Country BBQ at 10:30 a.m. and registration, warm-ups and a boxed lunch begin at 11 a.m. The Shotgun Scramble begins at noon. Cost per foursome is $800, and sponsorships are available.

The event will feature an 18-hole course and a Hole-in-One contest, and a raffle winner will have the chance to take a swing and win $1 million.

The cocktail hour begins at 4 p.m., and dinner and live entertainment will be offered from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Non-golfers who want to join in the fun and support the Toledo Food Bank can enjoy the dinner-only option for $75.

Although the Toledo Food Bank has hosted the fundraiser for many years, this is the first time it has been held at CIC.

“It’s a great facility and a great location,” Caldwell said. “Some people have not had the opportunity to golf at CIC, so it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Caldwell is grateful to the individuals and businesses who are helping the Toledo Food Bank continue its support of local families in need. The food bank has made an over $4 million investment in Ottawa County since fiscal year 2014, and it hopes to do more in the future.

“It’s a high-value investment over the years,” Caldwell said.

CIC is located at 4235 Beach Club Rd. in Port Clinton. For information on corporate sponsorship or to purchase tickets for the Catawba Island Golf Classic + Country BBQ visit www.toledofoodbank.org or call 419-242-5000.