The city is hoping the way to its employees' wallets is through their stomachs.
It's also counting on their hearts as its looking to raise $199,600 in employee contributions for United Way. About $9,000 is expected to come from the 400 employees who headed to the CLE Heritage Building Thursday for a lunch to help kick off the 2013 campaign.
"This really sends a message to employees the canvassers will be in the workplace asking for them to support the United Way," the city's general manager of finance and campaign chair Carol Pollard said.
The goal is up from $187,600 last year. Pollard said she's confident that the employees won't shy away from the challenge. The campaign has raised more than $1.8 million since 1996.
"Because the need is ever growing in our community," she said.
The menu featured local beef, pierogies, cole slaw and dessert. Pollard said it's important to support local food producers and highlight that for those sitting down for the lunch.
"We want them to know what they're eating and how great it will be," she said.
