Akron – Oct. 28, 2011 – There are many ways to offer a helping hand and make a difference in your community. This holiday season the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s Hunger-Free Families campaign seeks to inspire families to come together to take action and help provide food to families struggling with hunger.

You can join hundreds of local companies, non-profit organizations, governmental bodies, schools, social clubs and faith-based organizations in hosting food and funds drives to feed families facing hunger. Coordinating a food and funds drive is a wonderful way to promote community involvement and team building while helping those in need.

In Ohio, one in six households, or 16.4 percent, is food insecure or struggles with hunger. Whereas the rate for child food insecurity is much higher: more than one in four children is food insecure.

“Many people are surprised when they discover how widespread the problem is and how many households are in need in our community,” said Dan Flowers, president and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “These families have children, just like I do and they worry about putting food on the table. We want to ensure that every family that needs food can access it during the holiday season and all year long.”

As the holiday season approaches, the goal of the Hunger-Free Families campaign is to inspire the community to get involved, whether that is through volunteering, holding a food and funds drive or making a donation, all actions will help provide meals to hungry families in your neighborhood.

Many local partners are getting behind the campaign by holding events to raise money and collect food for the Foodbank:

o Join 98.1 WKDD, My 101.7, Rock 106.9 and 640 WHLO for the Long Haul Against Hunger, an all-day drive by and donate event on November 18 Live broadcasts will take place from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. as The Foodbank collects food and funds at remote locations. Visit on-air personalities of WKDD at the Plaza at Chapel Hill on Howe Ave. and WHOF at Thursday’s Plaza in Belden Village. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Ron Marhofer Auto Family presented challenges to the community and will be matching every dollar that is donated on November 18 up to $20,000.

o Online shoppers have an easy opportunity to get involved in the campaign. Double Your Dollar Day is an online promotion on Cyber Monday, November 28. While making holiday purchases online, visit www.akroncantonfoodbank.org and make a donation. Any dollar donated on Cyber Monday will be matched by generous Friends of the Foodbank.

o Ryan Humbert, local musician, will be holding the Third Annual Holiday Blowout benefiting the Foodbank on December 10 at 7:30 P.M. at the Akron Civic Theatre. Humbert and a 16-piece rock-and–soul band will be performing numerous seasonal classics as well as cover songs.

To learn more about the Hunger-Free Families campaign visit www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/hff.aspx or contact the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank at 330-535-6900.