Lohmans Donate $12K to Jewish Federation Food Bank

Just weeks after local philanthropist L. Gale Lemerand donated a $12,000 matching grant to the Jerry Doliner Food Bank, Nancy and Lowell Lohman visited the food bank on Friday, Dec. 22, and donated a $12,100 matching grant to feed the less fortunate.

Just weeks after local philanthropist L. Gale Lemerand donated a $12,000 matching grant to the Jerry Doliner Food Bank, Nancy and Lowell Lohman visited the food bank on Friday, Dec. 22, and donated a $12,100 matching grant to feed the less fortunate.

The two matching grants mean every donation to the Jewish Federation’s Jerry Doliner Food Bank will be doubled to help disadvantaged families in Volusia and Flagler counties.

“We don’t get a lot of food. We depend on the community because we have to buy the food,” said Gloria Max, executive director of the Jewish Federation, about the fundraising drive for 2018.

Lemerand, an entrepreneur who owns and is a major partner in several local restaurant chains, including Stonewood Grill & Tavern, provided the $12,000 matching grant to the food bank earlier this month.

On Friday, Nancy and Lowell Lohman visited the food bank and provided a matching grant for $12,100 — or $100 more than Lemerand. The Ormond Beach family sold their funeral home chain in 2012 and now owns apartment complexes.

“Lowell Lohman was impressed by what Gale Lemerand has been doing for the Jewish Federation and he had to come and see for himself,” Max said of the Lohmans’ visit.

Jewish Federation President Marvin Miller said the two matching grants arrived during the “Chrismakkah food drive” as the food bank provided turkeys with all the fixings – as well as toys, fresh fruits and vegetables, desserts and other groceries — to more than 250 disadvantaged families on Thursday for the holidays. The line of people stretched from the food bank all the way to Hand Avenue. Max said she had never seen such a long line at the food bank.

“We help so many of the working poor with large families,” Max added. “They can’t make ends meet on minimum wage jobs. They need help, and we thank Mr. Lemerand and the Lohmans for thinking about the less fortunate this holiday season.”

The food bank feeds 24,000 people a year in Volusia and Flagler counties, regardless of race or religion, and 100 percent of donations go directly to provide assistance because the Jewish Federation pays all administrative expenses.

To help the food bank reach the $24,100 in matching grants, please send a check to the Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties, 470 Andalusia Ave., Ormond Beach, FL 32174, and please write “matching grant” on the check. For more information, call 396-672-0294.

$12,000 Donated by L. Gale Lemerand
$12,100 Donated by Lohman Family
24,000 People Per Year Fed by Food Bank