Most of us connect the idea of giving as something that’s mainly done in December, but food is something we all need, every day, all year long.

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio — Most of us connect the idea of giving as something that’s mainly done in December.

But food is something we all need, every day, all year long.

With this and the increasing demand on local food banks in mind, the City of Middleburg Heights will host its 16th annual Elected Officials Food Drive from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 17 at Heinen’s Supermarket, 15300 Bagley Road.

High-demand foods needed include peanut butter, jelly, pasta, macaroni, pasta sauce, cereal, dry milk, canned meats, canned meals, baked beans, sugar, rice, applesauce, ketchup, salad dressing, coffee, tea, cooking oil, canned fruit, and juices.

Non-food items needed include paper towels, toilet paper, paper napkins, soap, laundry products, baby supplies, toothpaste, personal care items, and facial tissue.

City officials will be on hand: Council President David Bortolotto, Councilman at Large Tim Ali, Councilman at Large Dan Sage, Ward 1 Councilman Bill Meany, Ward 2 Councilman Matthew G. McGregor, Ward 3 Councilman Michael Ference, and Ward 4 Councilman John Zakel, Jr.

All food and cash donations will be distributed to the Middleburg Heights Food Pantry, located at 7000 Paula Drive, and the SCAN (Southwest Community Access Network) Hunger Center, located at Williamsport Plaza Shopping Center, Unit 7, 398 W. Bagley Road in Berea.

Summer counselors: The YMCA of Greater Cleveland is seeking individuals aged 18 and above who are ready to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Being a YMCA camp counselor is more than just a summer job, and it’s an opportunity to grow personally and professionally.

YMCA team counselors learn to guide, mentor and encourager campers while honing communication, conflict resoltuon and teamwork skills.

Camp counselors can build a solid foundation for a future career and gain experience that looks great on aa resuume and builds lifelong skills.

As a summer camp counselor at the YMCA you will lead deaily camp activites from sports to arts and crafts, while creating a fun, safe environment for kids to explore and grow, while earing competivite pay ($14 an hour) for your hard work and dedication.

The YMCA operates summer camps throughout Greater Cleveland, offering a variety of programs for children of all ages.

Whether in the city or nearby neighborhoods, you’ll help kids build friendships, explore new activities, and gain essential life skills.

Take the first step toward an unforgettable summer. Apply online at https://www.clevelandymca.org/careers/.

Skaters: Four Berea teens are part of an ice skating team that won the 2025 Ohio Figure Skating Championship.

The students are Marcus Thomas, a senior at Berea-Midpark High School, and Middle School students Aubrie and Savannah Hayes. Other members of the team were from schools in Strongsville, Avon, and St. Josephine, and Avery Jurcsisn, a student at St. Mary Catholic School.

The students skate with the Westshore B team out of the West Shore Skating Club in North Olmsted.

As a team Westshore B finished 5th in production ensemble, 1st Maneuver Teams and 1st in overall points.

The Berea Teens also won individual medals. Savannah Hayes won gold in Juvenile Plus Free Skate and gold in Killian Pattern Dance.

Aubrie Hayes captured gold in the Excel Intermediate Plus Free Skate and gold in the Viennese Waltz Pattern Dance.

Marcus Thomas won gold in Excel Pre-Juvenile Plus Free Skate and gold in Prelim/Pre-Juvenile Character Performance.

Avery Jurcsisn won bronze in Pattern Dance.

The U.S. Figure Skating Association sponsored the competition. The team is headed to Illinois for a national competition.

Long jump: Berea-Midpark High School freshman Gisele Chandhok competed at the Nike Indoor National Championships in New York City on March 13 and placed fourth in the long jump.

Gisele specializes in the long jump and the high jump. In February, she broke the long jump record at the Baldwin Wallace University high school meet, jumping 17’6.5”.

She earned a spot in state competition at Spires Academy in March and placed third in long jump and ninth in high jump.

As a seventh-grader at Berea-Midpark Middle School in 2023, Gisele qualified for the state meet, where she placed 23rd.

She was the only member of the middle school track squad to qualify for the state meet. The head coach for the Girls Track and Field Team is Karen Dobbs.

SCAN Hunger Center Pantry: 398 W. Bagley Road, Williamsport Plaza, (440) 260-7226. Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Friday of the month and 4-7 p.m. on the fourth Friday.

People’s Community Church Pantry: 628 Wesley Drive, 440) 234-0609. It is open from 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of the month. The next pantry is on May 18th.

Second Mile Outreach Pantry: 1480 Bagley Road, (440) 239-0549. It is open from noon to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Food Pantry: 8888 Prospect Road. It is open from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month and provides fresh food, staples, and toiletries. The next pantry is on May 10th.

Bread Ministry: Berea United Methodist Church, 170 Seminary St., (440) 234-3525. Bread and pastries only. Noon – 2 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. Go to the church addition on the north side of the church off Seminary. The pantry is through double brown doors.

Rise in Love: A free hot meal on the third Sunday of the month, 2-4 p.m., Keller Center, St. Adalbert Catholic Church, 66 Adalbert St., Eat-in or Carry-Out, on May 18th.

Free Community Meal: St. Paul Lutheran Church, located at 276 E. Bagley Road, serves this meal twice a month, from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m., on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. It is drive-up only.

Pet Food Pantry: Animal Rescue Friends, 10015 E. River Road, Columbia Station, 10 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Sundays of every month. Visit www.bereaanimalrescue.com or call (440) 234-2034 for more information or to donate.

Little Free Pantries Are near the Berea Branch Library and People’s Community Church. The Prospect Pantry is at the corner of Prospect Street and Jacqueline Drive. St. Paul Lutheran Church has a food donation box near the side door. Please bring non-perishable items only.