Hollywood Casino Toledo doesn’t just feed customers at its legendary Final Cut Steak and Seafood restaurant, or make sure that people hoping for good luck at the slot machines have snacks to sustain them. The casino has also donated more than 70,000 pounds of food to those in need since initiating a food reclamation program in February, 2013.

In recognition of this generosity, Hollywood Casino Toledo was given the 2014 ProMedica Community Partner Award on Oct. 16. Randy Oostra, president and chief executive officer of ProMedica, made the presentation to Richard St. Jean, general manager of the casino.

Hollywood Casino Toledo doesn’t just feed customers at its legendary Final Cut Steak and Seafood restaurant, or make sure that people hoping for good luck at the slot machines have snacks to sustain them. The casino has also donated more than 70,000 pounds of food to those in need since initiating a food reclamation program in February, 2013.

In recognition of this generosity, Hollywood Casino Toledo was given the 2014 ProMedica Community Partner Award on Oct. 16. Randy Oostra, president and chief executive officer of ProMedica, made the presentation to Richard St. Jean, general manager of the casino.

The food reclamation project enables unused food from the casino to be repackaged. It is then picked up for distribution to other organizations that work directly with families and individuals in need of supplemental food, such as homeless shelters and food pantries.

“The casino has been an incredible partner in our food reclamation program,” said Stephanie Cihon, ProMedica’s corporate director for community relations, advocacy and grants. “They were the first in the area to join the program and their wonderful example has encouraged other sites to join the program as well.”

Fifth Third Field, Owens Community College, Promedica Flower Hospital, and ProMedica Toledo Hospital are also involved, committed to preventing food waste while simultaneously helping those with issues of food insufficiency.

More than 100,000 pounds of food have been donated to the reclamation program since its inception. ProMedica began the effort through its Come to the Table initiative, which addresses lack of access to food as a health issue, rather than solely as a matter of financial need. Malnutrition and hunger directly affect health and well-being, particularly among groups that are considered to be the most vulnerable: children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions (both physical and psychiatric).

According to ProMedica, one of every five families in our area receives some form of food assistance.

And Hollywood Casino Toledo is trying to make sure that providing them with enough food to eat isn’t just a matter of luck.