DID YOU KNOW? Nearly 1 in 3 of all individuals served by the Foodbank are children. FALL 2014 FALL THE FOODBANK

A publicationFOCUS of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

Serving Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas & Wayne Counties

Thank you for helping veterans like Darrell

Your Foodbank recently participated in Hunger assistance unless he has helped others in need in America 2014, the largest study of hunger first. He volunteers at Open M, making sure conducted in the nation. The study was based individuals and families have their bags loaded upon surveys completed by our member with all the fresh food they need. He even agency program staff and interviews with those volunteers at the Foodbank on Saturdays with facing hunger to capture detailed information his church. 350 Opportunity Parkway about who is hungry and their circumstances. Akron, OH 44307-2234 When asked about giving back, Darrell said, main: 330.535.6900 The results of the study revealed that, in our “Giving back is one of my callings. I love to fax: 330.996.5337 community, your Foodbank is serving approxi- do it; it feels good to help someone!” akroncantonfoodbank.org mately 263,200 different individuals every year. The Hunger in America data provides an invaluable resource for us to develop programs that best support people in need. To learn more BOARD OF DIRECTORS Surprisingly, the study stated that 1 in 5 about Hunger in America 2014, please visit Richard Wilson, Chair akroncantonfoodbank.org. Mark Purtilar, Vice Chair families served by the Akron-Canton Regional Jim Bowen, Treasurer Foodbank report having at least one member Bernett Williams, Secretary Shelly Allio that has served in the military, like Darrell. Lisa Backlin Robert Bender Chris Coughlin James DeLuca Darrell Bradley began his service to the United Michael Dowling States Air Force in 1974. When his service Lia Easler ended, he had trouble standing for long Patricia Gibbs periods of time due to his job in the military, Kristin Hannon and also because he has diabetes. “Giving back is one Thomas Haught Suzanne Hobson of my callings. At 58 years old, Darrell lives alone, on a fixed Nicole Koharik I love to do it; George Sarkis income and finds himself choosing between William Shivers paying bills and buying groceries. it feels good to Pamela Simpson helpDarrell, someone!” age 58, Jan Wojno Darrell visits Open M food pantry, a member repacks carrots at the Foodbank. Daniel R. Flowers agency of the Akron-Canton Regional PRESIDENT & CEO Foodbank, but Darrell won’t accept food WE’RE EXCITED FOR YOU TO GET INVOLVED

EAT, DRINK YOU CAN CELEBRATE & FEED THE HOLIDAYS MANY. WHILE HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED

For individuals and families facing hunger, YOUR $21 YOUR $84 the holidays are just another time of year DONATION DONATION to make tough decisions about paying necessary bills or buying groceries, but you can help! You can make a difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors during the holidays by participating in the Hunger-Free Families holiday campaign.

CAN FEED A FAMILY OF 4 This year, take action for the nearly 1 in FOR A WEEK FOR A MONTH 4 children and their families struggling with hunger by helping to keep your Foodbank’s shelves stocked during our busiest time of year, the holiday season.

FOODBANK WINS NORTHCOAST 99 GET READY TO AWARD ENTERTAIN THIS PURCHASE YOUR

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is HOLIDAY SEASON WENDY’S KEYTAG proud to be recognized by ERC as one Save the date for No Muffin Left Behind— of Northeast Ohio’s best places to work. Visit your local participating Wendy’s in Holiday Edition Discount Bake Sale— The award recognizes organizations for Akron as well as in Portage and Stark their ability to maintain great workplaces on Saturday, November 8, 2014. Main Counties to purchase a $1 Frosty™ Key that support the attraction, retention Street Gourmet will bring thousands of Tag. Present your Key Tag each time you and motivation of Top Performers. “We pounds of delicious frozen bakery items order and receive a free Jr. Frosty™ through are beyond proud to be included in this like cookie dough, muffins, brownies February 2015. Proceeds from the Key Tag incredible group and hope it inspires and much more! Everything is $1.25 per sales benefit your Akron-Canton Regional other non-profits to embrace progressive pound, and $0.25 of each pound will Foodbank because of the generous support employment practices for the hard-working go directly to help the Foodbank feed of local Wendy’s franchises, AKWEN, LTD people in our sector,” said Dan Flowers. people in our community. and Canton S-Group. HOST A FOOD & FUNDS DRIVE You can be a Hunger Hero by joining Taste of the NFL tackling hunger hundreds of local companies, government The largest fundraiser of the Akron-Canton bodies, schools and faith-based organizations in team-building activities Regional Foodbank, Taste of the NFL at by hosting a food & funds drive to help the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was an feed our neighbors in need. Please visit incredible success because of you! Thank akroncantonfoodbank.org or contact you for joining your Foodbank, and helping Stephanie Hinchliffe, shinchliffe@acrfb. to raise enough for 700,000 meals! org or 330.777.1055 for more information on how to become a Hunger Hero! A tremendous thank you goes to this year’s Taste of the NFL co-chairs, Greg HUNGER HEROES UNITE AT Long and Gary Smith. The Foodbank LONG HAUL AGAINST HUNGER would also like to thank all of the guests, Congratulations to SHY Cellars on being named the Grand On Friday, November 21, 2014, you can donate the food and beverage providers, the Champion of Taste of the NFL for the second year in a row! to the Foodbank while staying warm in your Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Hall of car. The Foodbank will proudly join with Famers and our sponsors, including our local radio stations 98.1 WKDD, Rock 106.9, My 101.7, 640 WHLO and 99.7 Canton’s New title sponsors: The Grainger Foundation, Country for the Long Haul Against Hunger, WAKR, WONE, WQMX and ANN for where listeners can drive by and drop off making this great event possible! monetary donations and non-perishable food in Akron or Canton. For locations, Looking to go out to dinner tonight? please visit akroncantonfoodbank.org. Please support these local restaurants that made Taste of the NFL such a success! DOUBLE YOUR DOLLAR DAY On the largest online shopping day Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant, of the year, Cyber Monday, December Chocolates by Erin, Desert Inn, Dunkin’ 1, 2014, every $1 that is donated to David Baker, President of the Pro Football Hall of Donuts, The Galaxy Restaurant, The Game Fame, introduces Hall of Famers at Taste of the NFL. your Foodbank will be matched by a Grill + Bar, Georgio’s Grille, Hudson’s generous friend of the Foodbank! Restaurant & Catering, Kosar’s Wood- Fired Grill, Main Street Gourmet, Meeker GIVING TUESDAY Help us support local restaurants that Wines distributed by Esber Beverage, support your Foodbank on December 2, Or Derv Foods, The Overlook, Pav’s DATES TO 2014! Visit any participating restaurant and Creamery, Pepsi Food Service, The Rail, REMEMBER they will donate a percentage of your bill Robert J. Events & Catering, SHY Cellars, to the Foodbank! For a list of restaurants, Troutman Vineyards, University Hospitals Hunger-Free Families campaign please visit akroncantonfoodbank.org. Ahuja Medical Center, The Winery at Wolf NOVEMBER & DECEMBER Creek and The Wooster Inn. Ron Marhofer Auto Family Locations Collect Donations OCTOBER 15 - NOVEMBER 30

CORE Young Professionals Event NOVEMBER 5

Long Haul Against Hunger Drive by and Donate Event NOVEMBER 21

RUN WITH US IN Double Your Dollar Day DECEMBER 1 YOUR HOLIDAY- JUMP INTO THEMED GEAR #GivingTuesday FREEZING WATER DECEMBER 2 In the spirit of the holiday season, you’re Jump with us into the freezing Portage invited to participate in the Selfless Elf 5K Selfless Elf 5K Lakes with the Polar Bear Club. On DECEMBER 20 run on Saturday, December 20, 2014. This February 21, 2015, the 12th annual Polar is an exciting way to embrace the holiday Bear Jump will raise financial donations For event details, visit season while celebrating your support of to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional akroncantonfoodbank.org the Hunger-Free Families campaign. Visit Foodbank! To get involved, please visit selflesself.com for more details or to register. akroncantonfoodbank.org. HONOR ROLL WELCOME TO YOUR FOODBANK! FALL 2014 HUNGER ACTION MONTH Akron Area Interfaith Council Akron Bar Association BRINGS 1,500 NEW Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Children’s Hospital Employee Foundation VOLUNTEERS TO THE Akron General Health System Aultman Hospital and AultCare FOODBANK FAMILY BJ’s Charitable Foundation Glenn R. & Alice V. Boggess Memorial Foundation Orange is the color of hunger awareness, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund and this past September, the Akron-Canton Brockman, Coats, Gedelian & Co. Regional Foodbank felt the glow of orange Cargill Incorporated as you took action to fight hunger, all CESO, Inc. The Charter One Foundation month long. Christ Foundation Color Vibe The month kicked off with community Dominion Foundation supporters wearing orange to show their Donovan Family Fund of Akron support of hunger-relief on September 4. Toni and George volunteer at Operation Orange. Community Foundation ExxonMobil Corporation The following day, energy filled the Feinstein Family Foundation Foodbank as Operation Orange, the Volunteers like Toni and her husband George FirstMerit Bank Foundation 24-hour volunteer event, began. worked multiple shifts through the day and Albert W. and Edith V. Flowers Charitable Foundation into the night. Toni and George are regular Billy Soule, representing Akron Mayor Don GOJO Industries, Inc. volunteers at the Foodbank, and volunteered Plusquellic, presented the Foodbank with The Grainger Foundation for four different shifts at Operation Orange, JoAnn Stores, Inc. a proclamation declaring September to be totaling 16 hours! When asked why they kept John G. Taggert Community Hunger Action Month in the City of Akron. Fund of Wayne County returning, Toni said, “We had to finish the Community Foundation project. I was afraid it wouldn’t get done, and More than 1,500 community members KMC License Services this is just too important. Working towards a Glenn and Karen Leppo Family Fund including George Brown of the office of great cause, and volunteering to help people of Akron Community Foundation Senator Rob Portman, Sarah Lowry of the The Roger & Susan L’Hommedieu in our community, it’s always better when office of Senator Sherrod Brown, Ginger Family Fund more people help. I know it’s always better Baylor of the office of U.S. Representative Lockheed Martin together.” Macy’s/Bloomingdale’s Marcia Fudge, U.S. Representative Tim Making Smiles Foundation Ryan, Ohio Senator Frank LaRose and Ohio Many thanks to the numerous Operation Medical Mutual of Ohio Representative Zack Milkovich along with The Mitsui USA Foundation Orange sponsors, including our top supporters Harvey and Kimberly Nelson numerous local mayors and city council Dominion, Sam’s Club, Rotary Club of Akron, Family Fund of Akron members attended Operation Orange. Mimi Vanderhaven and 91.3 The Summit. Community Foundation Harold W. Pickering Charitable Fund of Wayne County Community Foundation The Progressive Insurance Foundation Sequoia Financial Group, LLC The Sisler McFawn Foundation Sterling Jewelers, Inc. Summa Health System Walmart Foundation Walmart Store #2361 Walmart Store #5285 Denise G. & Norman E. Wells Family Foundation Dominion was among dozens of groups that assembled Foodbank staff show their support of Hunger Action Month The Welty Family Foundation volunteer groups for Operation Orange. by wearing orange, the color of hunger awareness.

The Honor Roll recognizes our top supporters of the season. Together we are the difference The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit between hunger and hope. organization recognized by the IRS. If you know anyone who THANK YOU FOR YOUR might be interested in receiving this newsletter, or if you would like to be removed from our mailing list, please contact the SUPPORT! Marketing Department at [email protected] or 330.535.6900. A member of