An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated both groups received money from local foundations. In fact, the Hunger Network receives no money from foundations. The text has been changed to reflect the correction.
Northeast Ohio has two very different emergency food distribution agencies: the Hunger Network, which runs handout centers from predominantly black churches; and the Foodbank, the multimillion-dollar warehouse for distribution. They are united in that they 1) both want to keep Cleveland bellies full and 2) they can’t stand one another.
Last summer, the fight between the two area nonprofits spilled into the pages of this rag. Under pressure from the city’s foundations and county government, the warring parties were asked to come up with ways to collaborate. Instead of agreement, they locked heads. The Network said the Foodbank was trying to swallow it whole; the Foodbank said the Network was being stubborn.
