CLEVELAND — Northeast Ohio couple Steve and Rena Wertheim counted their blessings when their two $600 stimulus checks came in the mail.
“You have to ask yourself, you know, I was thinking that I have a refrigerator full of food. I have a warm house. I have family. It kind of put the year in perspective for me. How bad do I really have it off? ?You know, I’m actually quite lucky,” Wertheim said.
The Wertheim’s donated their money to the nonprofit The Hunger Network of Cleveland, which aims to make sure no one goes hungry and no food goes to waste — after seeing the struggles of a woman trying to make ends meet.
“I saw this woman digging through the garbage in this middle-class suburb right across from Target and it really affected me,” Wertheim said.
Julie Johnson, the CEO of the Hunger Network, said whether the organization receives a $1,200 donation or $1, it all makes a difference.
“If you can imagine the nonprofit community is really stretched right now. So the areas that we see folks are most struggling with are food, utilities, medical care, and then rent,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the Hunger Network saw a 33% increase in need from 2019 to 2020.
She added that if you don’t truly need your stimulus check, donating it to nonprofit organizations like The Hunger Network can help them help more people in need.
“Those who are serving children either during the school day or after the school day, those who are providing utility assistance, clothing, food, shelter, domestic violence, because domestic violence situations have increased so much because everyone is at home. Obviously, people who have children and infants, those types of organizations are fabulous to donate to during this time,” Johnson said.
Steve Wertheim said his wife was an educator and he worked in social services.
While they’re not wealthy, they’re in good shape financially.
“I’m not trying to make anybody feel guilty, they should use it for what it’s needed. So I’m just saying for those of us who were thinking, well, you know, maybe I’ll use it to buy a 60-inch screen TV instead of my 48-inch screen TV or something like that, or a year of premium channels. That’s a different situation,” Wertheim said.
Referencing the quote, “It takes a village to raise a child,” Johnson emphasized the good that comes when everyone works together.
“It really does take everyone in the community working together and building because you want to focus on the generations to come and the generations that are existing. When you invest in the infrastructure in your community, particularly in the nonprofits, it makes the city stronger,” Johnson said.
For more information about nonprofits and to find nonprofits to donate to, click here to visit the GreatNonprofits website and type in your city.
In Cleveland, here’s a list of potential nonprofit organizations you could donate your stimulus check to:
The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank
The Centers for Families and Children
Domestic Violence Child Advocacy Center
