SUMMER 2012
DID YOU KNOW? The Foodbank plans to distribute five million pounds of fresh produce in 2012.
THE FOODBANK
FOCUS
A publication of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Serving Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas & Wayne Counties
Food brings smiles to hungry children Every parent wants the best for their children. As parents, we want to help our children establish a good foundation for their future physical health, academic achievement and economic productivity. Unfortunately, food insecurity is an 350 Opportunity Parkway Akron, OH 44307-2234 main: 330.535.6900 fax: 330.996.5337 akroncantonfoodbank.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS George Sarkis, Chairman Richard Wilson, Vice Chairman Patricia Gibbs, Treasurer Mark Purtilar, Secretary
obstacle that threatens this foundation.
where food isn’t always readily available. “When we get home, can I have peanut butter?” That is what Lucas asked his mom after spending the morning waiting for a bag full of groceries from a pantry in Akron. Lucas’s mom, a medical technician, has been employed at
1 in 4 CHILDREN in our area IS FOOD INSECURE. In the service area of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, 95,000 children under the age of 18 live in households that are food insecure —unable to consistently access adequate amounts of nutritious food necessary for a healthy life.
Shelly Allio Robert Bender Chris Coughlin James Deluca Michael J. Dowling Lia Easler Kristin Hannon Suzanne Hobson Nicole Koharik Michael Lapides Michael Moldvay Pamela Simpson Bernett Williams Jan Wojno
Children suffering from hunger are
Daniel R. Flowers PRESIDENT & CEO
thousands of children in our
vulnerable and face the potential of long-term consequences. If affected by food insecurity children are more likely to have behavioral problems, do poorly in school, require more medical care and suffer growth impairment
an assisted living center the past twelve years and took a vacation day to visit the pantry for the first time. Lucas is one of four sons and his mom shared that even working full-time, as a single parent, she struggles to keep herself and her boys fed. Lucas was delighted his mom was taking a day off work and spending it with him. It is just unfortunate that their time together would not be spent swimming or playing games. Lucas’ mom is grateful for the nutritious food they received from the pantry and is eager to share it with her growing boys. This extra nourishment will help Lucas and his three brothers grow, develop and learn just like their peers.
that precludes reaching their
We are grateful for your
full physical potential.
support of the Foodbank
Lucas, a 4-year-old who loves riding his bike and hanging out with his mom is among the area who live in households
as we work to alleviate food insecurity in our community and ensure that children have a better tomorrow and a strong foundation for the future.
HONOR ROLL SUMMER 2012
Join us for Taste of the NFL Join us at the brand new Event Center at the
Our featured raffle drawing will include three
Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton for Taste
exciting prizes. The grand prize winner will
of the NFL benefiting the Akron-Canton
receive a 24-month lease on a new Ford
Akron General Health System
Regional Foodbank. The sixth annual event,
Focus, courtesy of Montrose Auto Group.
Akwen, Ltd.
presented by The Grainger Foundation and WQMX/WAKR/WONE/ANN, will be held on
The second place winner will receive one
Aultman Health Foundation The Belair Family Fund of Akron
Tuesday, September 18, 2012, and tickets
Akron Area Interfaith Council Akron Children’s Hospital
Community Foundation Bober, Markey, Fedorovich & Company Bridgestone Americas Buehler’s Food Markets, Inc. Kenneth L. Calhoun Charitable Trust Canton-S Group
can be purchased online, at the door, or by calling 330.535.6900. Meet Hall of Fame Enshrinees and enjoy tastings from more than 20 local chefs and
free pizza every week for a year, courtesy of Hallrich Incorporated dba Pizza Hut. The third place winner will receive a set of four new tires, courtesy of Montrose Auto Group. Each raffle ticket also comes with two coupons for buy-one get-one half-off a pizza
wineries while raising awareness and dollars
at Pizza Hut and half-off an oil change from
toward the fight to end hunger. The event
Montrose Auto Group. Raffle tickets may be
also features a silent auction, a live auction
purchased online, at the Foodbank, or from
City of Akron
and exciting raffle items. For a complete list
a Taste of the NFL committee member. The
Dave’s Market
of participating Enshrinees and purveyors,
winner will be drawn at Taste of the NFL, and
Mary and Dr. George L.
please visit our website.
the winners need not be present to win.
Cargill Incorporated The Charter One Foundation CIGNA HealthCare
Demetros Charitable Trust Diebold Incorporated
September 18th • 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton
Fifth Third Bank FirstEnergy Corp.
$150 General Admission • $250 VIP $100 Young Professional
FirstMerit Bank N.A. Fishers Foods
Purchase tickets online akroncantonfoodbank.org or call 330.535.6900
Laura B. Frick Charitable Trust The GAR Foundation Giant Eagle, Inc. GOJO Industries, Inc. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Grainger Foundation JoAnn Stores, Inc.
September is Hunger Action Month
Leiden Cabinet Company
September is Hunger Action Month, when
MACtac
everyone in America is asked to take action
H-E-B
Main Street Gourmet The Maynard Family Foundation Medical Mutual of Ohio MLB, Inc. Nationwide Insurance Foundation
to fight hunger in their community, all month long. Hunger Action Month is your opportunity to join a movement that has a real and lasting impact on our effort to
Ohio Edison
feed more people in our community than
OMNOVA Solutions Foundation
ever before. Whether it’s by advocating and
Gertrude F. Orr Trust Advised Fund
raising awareness, making donations, or
Ada C. & Helen J. Rank
volunteering, you can find a way that’s right
Charitable Foundation Roetzel & Andress The Sisler McFawn Foundation Willard Stephenson Foundation Summa Health System Summit County Executive’s Office
a new way! We have created a calendar of
for you to make a difference.
30 exciting ways to get involved, such as
We encourage you to participate in our
legislators or holding a food drive. Visit our
30 Ways in 30 Days campaign to take
website to download a calendar and start
action throughout the month, each day, in
fighting hunger in our community.
attending local events, writing letters to
TGI Friday-Carlson Restaurants Denise G. & Norman E. Wells Family Foundation Wichert Insurance Services, Inc.
The Honor Roll recognizes our top supporters of the season.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Read our 2011 annual report online Our goal has been nothing short of creating a better, more inclusive community, a place where those facing hunger, the young and old, families and individuals, could find relief; a place where those who stand beside us, donors and volunteers alike, can do their good work. A place for everyone.
Our 2011 annual report, A place for everyone, is available at akroncantonfoodbank.org. In an effort to be better stewards of your support, a limited quantity of the 2011 annual report have been printed. To request a printed copy, please visit our website or call 330.535.6900.
Community Celebrates Foodbank’s National Award A crowd of more than 350 people gathered in the warehouse of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to celebrate the community’s commitment to hunger-relief. The event was twofold, a celebration of the Foodbank being named the Feeding America 2012 Foodbank of the year, and a commemoration of the Foodbank being in operation for thirty years. Former and present board members, community leaders, agencies, volunteers and donors gathered for an open-house event engaging guests through tours and activities. A short program included remarks from Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America and Dan Flowers, President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank continues to create innovative ways to meet its community’s emergency food needs. They are truly a leader in our Network,” said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. “Dan Flowers and his remarkable team are well
deserving of this great honor. Their effort to help feed the hungry in the Akron-Canton area and their contribution to our mission is truly inspiring.” Dan Flowers, President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank began his address to the audience by reflecting on the founding of the organization, a small group of community leaders and volunteers who came together thirty years ago to provide a practical response to the growing problem of hunger in the area. “This incredible community has continued to rally around its Foodbank. Since its inception in 1982, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank has distributed more than 300 million pounds of food and grocery items through our member agencies,” said Flowers. With one in seven individuals in the Foodbank’s service area struggling with hunger, Flowers stressed that this award doesn’t mean the Foodbank’s work is done. “We need you in the fight with us,” said Flowers. “We need you to continue being a part of the solution.” The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank was named the 2012 Foodbank of the Year at the annual Feeding America Network Summit in Detroit. The award is the highest recognition achievable by food banks and is given to the year’s most outstanding food bank of the 202 food banks across the nation in the Feeding America network. Feeding America selected the Ohio food bank because of its exceptional dedication and community outreach. Among the food bank’s accomplishments: • Increasing distribution to 19.4 million pounds of food and targeting its outreach in priority counties • Cultivating new donors and balancing fundraising strategies, resulting in 100% increase in funds raised in the past two years • Creating a new Feeding Kids Initiative to help the one in four kids suffering from food insecurity • Developing creative tools to engage and educate the public, like the Hungry Kate video
“The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is fixed on its mission to Feed People and Fight Hunger. We are committed to seeking the most efficient and effective means to those ends,” said Flowers. “This honor belongs to this entire community, our member agencies, board of directors, staff members and our struggling neighbors. We will continue striving to serve more people and to serve them better. People in need deserve our very best. Our work has just begun.” Special thanks to H-E-B, Colortone, Cynthia’s Custom Photography, Neil Leeson Décor Floral, On Tap Bar and Grille, Gertrude F. Orr Trust Advised Fund of Akron Community Foundation, R. B. Stout, Inc., R.G. Thomas Landscape and Design, Inc., Robert J. Events and Catering, Sully’s Tool and Party Rental, Torchbearers, The University of Akron Steel Drum Band and Tramonte Distributing Co. for their generous support of the event.
DATES TO REMEMBER Hunger Action Month SEPTEMBER Taste of the NFL SEPTEMBER 18 Plant a Row for the Hungry through September 31 Hunger-Free Families Campaign NOVEMBER - DECEMBER CORE Young Professionals Event NOVEMBER 8 Long Haul Against Hunger NOVEMBER 16 Double Your Dollar Day NOVEMBER 26
For event details, visit akroncantonfoodbank.org
CNN’s John King CNN’s chief national correspondent, John King (pictured above, between Michelle Hinton, Director of External Affairs, and Dan Flowers, President & CEO), toured the Foodbank recently to learn more about the economic conditions and food insecurity in the area. Watch the clip that ran on CNN online at akroncantonfoodbank.org.
CORE Events The Foodbank hosted more than 75 motivated, energetic young professionals at our two CORE events in July and August. Join us for our next volunteer project followed by a networking opportunity on November 8. RSVP and learn more at akroncantonfoodbank.org.
Network Summit More than 300 representatives from our 460 food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters and other hunger-relief programs gathered at the University of Akron on August 17 for our 2012 Network Summit. Agencies enjoyed a day full of learning, sharing and strengthening relationships in the communities we serve.
More Photos
View more photos from the Foodbank on our Facebook Page or Flickr Account. facebook.com/akroncantonfoodbank flickr.com/photos/acrfoodbank
Get ready for Hunger-Free Families We need your support to feed people in
drive is an easy way to participate in the
need right here in our community. Join the
Hunger-Free Families campaign and are
Hunger-Free Families campaign, which
a wonderful way to promote community
inspires people to come together during
involvement and team building while
the holiday season to take action and help
benefiting those in need.
provide food to families facing hunger. Hundreds of local companies, non-profit
There are many ways to support
organizations, governmental bodies,
the campaign. Please visit
schools, social groups and faith-based
akroncantonfoodbank.org for more
organizations are invited to host food and
information, or contact Leslie Letner at
funds drives between November 1st and
330.777.7572 or lletner@acrfb.org to learn
December 31st. Hosting a food and funds
how you can get involved.
Take action and give hope to families facing hunger this holiday season. NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
If you know anyone who might be interested in receiving this newsletter, or if you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please contact the Marketing Department at info@acrfb.org or 330.535.6900. Thank you for joining the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank in the fight to end hunger.