The West Side Ecumenical Ministry (WSEM) Food Centers at Brookside, Community Corner and Near West are gearing up to “Strike Out Hunger” among Cleveland’s children, youth, adults and families in need! The Food Centers will hold their annual fall benefit sponsored by Community West Foundation, Applied Industrial Technologies and Fairview, Lakewood and Lutheran – Cleveland Clinic Hospitals from 6 - 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 25 at Progressive Field’s Club Lounge.

“Each year, the WSEM Food Centers provide thousands of meals to Clevelanders in need who would otherwise go hungry without our services,” says Judith Z. Peters, president and CEO of WSEM.

Peters said this year’s fall benefit is more important than ever and will help WSEM reach out to the growing number of individuals who are struggling to feed themselves and their family members. “Going hungry is more than just a temporary inconvenience,” explains Peters. She said scientific evidence suggests that hungry children are less likely to become productive citizens. “A child who is unequipped to learn because of hunger is more likely to live in poverty as an adult,” says Peters. “By working to strike out hunger now in Cleveland, we can help improve the chances for the future prosperity of our citizens and the entire community.”

Peters estimates that one in four individuals served by the WSEM Food Centers is a child.

Since 1966, The WSEM Food Centers, one of Cleveland’s largest food distributors on the West Side, has supplied the hungry with a three-day supply of emergency food, hot meals and other services. WSEM Food Centers provide 750,000 meals a year and more than 14,000 supportive services including employment and educational services to families and children.

This year’s event kicks-off at 6 p.m. with Ohio Broadcast Hall of Fame sportscaster emcee Greg Brinda of ESPN WKNR Radio 850. Brinda, Cleveland’s “Dean of Sports” and host of the station’s 10th Inning post-game Indian’s Show and Golf Show, said he is thrilled to help support such a worthy cause.

“No person in Cleveland, especially a child, should ever have to go hungry,” says Brinda. “We can all play a role in striking out hunger, and I encourage everyone who can to attend this event.”

Attendees will enjoy four food stations featuring authentic ballpark fare and the chance to win amazing prizes at a silent and live auction and lucky choice raffle. Participants will also enjoy a cornhole tournament while cheering on the Cleveland Indians as they take on the Red Sox in Boston via television screens stationed throughout the Club Lounge.

Tickets for the event are $65 and include free parking and one drink ticket. For more information, call WSEM at 216-651-2037, or check out the “Events” page at www.wsem.org . Order tickets online via the “Online Donations” link and select “Strike Out Hunger” from the drop-down menu at www.wsem.org.

About WSEM Founded in 1966, West Side Ecumenical Ministry (WSEM) is a nonprofit, social service organization working to assist families and individuals meet their needs through programs of service. WSEM administers programs through its three Centers of Excellence and Counseling Solutions Program that provide food and outreach services, employment training, early childhood education and counseling solutions. For more information, visit www.wsem.org.

About WSEM Food Centers WSEM Food Centers of Excellence provide 750,000 meals a year and more than 14,000 outreach and supportive services to families and children. Outreach advocacy includes crisis support, referrals to community resources, job readiness and educational services.