The holiday spirit inspired 50 associates from Honda of America Mfg., Inc. to give their time to a local food pantry in Ohio recently, and through their efforts they were able to make a powerful impact.

Associates volunteered at the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio and sorted over 3,000 pounds of food in just under three hours.

Donated food items often include expired items, so once those were removed, the associates sorted the non-perishable boxed and canned goods based on the type of food. They then assisted with weighing and packaging the individual meals of fruits and vegetables, proteins and starches.

Associates were able to box up 2,202 pounds of food, which equates to 1,835 meals for those in need.

“It would have taken our staff over a week to sort through all the barrels,” said Tyra Jackson, Executive Director of the Second Harvest Food Bank. “Honda’s efforts allow us to place the donated food on the pantry shelves faster.”

Second Harvest works in partnership with 104 Partner Charities from the very small to the very large to help those at-risk for hunger in the mid-Ohio community.