The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank will kick off the 31st annual Harvest for Hunger Campaign with a community breakfast on March 1 at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron. Community members interested in learning more about the Campaign and how they can get involved are encouraged to attend. Supporters can also tune in virtually. Learn more at akroncantonfoodbank.org/rsvp.
The breakfast will highlight various ways event attendees can support local hunger relief. The event brings together organizations and businesses interested in rallying behind the cause of feeding people and fighting hunger.
Breakfast guests will hear from Foodbank President and CEO Dan Flowers and honorary Campaign Co-Chairs Bernett L. Williams, vice president, external affairs at Akron Children’s Hospital, and Sam Falletta, the CEO of Incept.
“We are all paying higher prices today than even a year ago. Food costs are up considerably, forcing some families to decide between feeding their family or other essentials,” said Williams. “Your support of the Harvest for Hunger ¬¬Campaign will aid in easing the burden of food for families. I am thrilled to join Sam Falletta as co-chair of the Campaign. Together, with your help we will raise awareness and funds in support of hunger relief in our communities.”
“The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank has been a symbol of the generosity I have witnessed from our community over the last 40 years,” said Falletta. “I’m honored to play a part in this year’s Harvest for Hunger Campaign and invite you to help us make an impact during a time when the need is so great.”
This year’s Campaign goal is to provide the equivalent of 4.6 million meals for the communities served within the Foodbank’s eight-county region, including $1.13 million and 100,000 pounds of food.
Harvest for Hunger is the Foodbank’s largest fundraising campaign and helps support food distribution all year long. Support and engagement from the community helps ensure families struggling with hunger have a place to turn during their time of need.
As many families continue to rebound from the pandemic while also facing increased costs for fuel, groceries and other necessities, some must choose between buying groceries and paying for rent, utilities, childcare, medication and healthcare.
The Foodbank is asking the community to Say no to local hunger. Help Feed Families. Help feed the future by refusing to let kids in Northeast Ohio be undernourished. Help ensure families aren’t forced to make difficult choices between necessities and nourishing food.
The Harvest for Hunger Campaign unites four food banks in Northeast Ohio and focuses on fighting hunger across 21 counties in the region.
The breakfast will also celebrate the Foodbank’s 40th anniversary and will include a fireside chat with some of the organization’s original founders and key stakeholders.
To reserve your ticket for the breakfast and to view the COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan, please visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/rsvp. For more information on the Campaign, visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/harvest.