The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank kicked off its annual Holiday Campaign today, which runs through Dec. 31. The Foodbank encourages community members to help give a heart-warming meal this holiday season to the 1 in 7 individuals who struggle with hunger in the eight-county area served by the Foodbank.
As colder weather and the holiday season quickly approach, people are often forced to choose between purchasing groceries for their family and paying for rent, utilities and medication costs. The Foodbank and its network of nearly 500 food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters and other hunger-relief programs serve as a safety net for the local families in the region who need a little extra help this time of year.
The Foodbank is asking the community to get involved with the campaign, whether it’s through volunteering, making a financial contribution, or starting a food and funds drive.
“The community’s support is vital to ensuring our neighbors facing hunger are able to share a holiday meal together this year,” said Dan Flowers, Foodbank president and CEO. “Despite the low unemployment rate, relentless poverty in our region still sends thousands of people to seek food assistance every week to help make ends meet. We hope the community continues to remember the Foodbank and the families we serve as we work to fight food insecurity during the holidays and all year long.”
The Foodbank has a variety of Holiday Campaign activities available:
Host a food and funds drive
Gather your coworkers, schools, faith-based organizations, social groups and family and collect food and financial contributions for your Foodbank. Coordinator kits will be made available and include materials you need to make your drive a success!
Facebook Fundraiser
Set up a Facebook fundraiser and invite your social media networks to donate.
Online Fundraiser
Create a personalized online fundraiser and share the link via email and through your personal and professional networks.
Rock 106.9’s Mac & Cheese Feed Concert
Join The Stansbury Show radio hosts, Dan Stansbury and Matt Fantone, for a new concert benefiting the Foodbank at Shale Brewing Company in Canton on Nov. 22.
Double Dollar Day
On Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, online donations will be matched, $1 = 8 meals! Visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/holiday.
Long Haul Against Hunger
Drive by and donate at the 98.1 KDD radiothon from 6am-7pm at Giant Eagle at Portage Crossing in Cuyahoga Falls on Dec. 6. Financial donations will be matched by generous sponsors throughout the day.
Selfless Elf 5k
Dress in your favorite holiday-themed costume or running gear and run or walk the 3.1-mile course beginning and ending at the Foodbank on Dec. 21. Visit selflesself.com.
Shop Amazon
Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of an eligible AmazonSmile purchase when the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is selected as the beneficiary.
Support local businesses
Help support the following businesses, Nov. 1-30, that will collect monetary donations from their customers: Altar’d State in Summit Mall, Bair’s Powersports and Indian Motorcycles in North Canton, Ron Marhofer Auto Family locations, Northside Cellar in Akron, Mainstream Boutique in North Canton and Royal Docks Brewhouse in Canton. For a complete list of participating locations, visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/holiday.
To learn more about the Holiday Campaign, please visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/holiday or contact the Foodbank at 330.535.6900.