The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank has an ambitious goal to host more than 1,200 community members during Operation Orange, the second annual 24-hour volunteer event in celebration of Hunger Action Month, Friday, Sept. 5 at 12:00pm to Saturday, Sept. 6 at 12:00pm.

Throughout the day and night, volunteers will commit to 2-4 hour shifts to keep projects running for 24 hours straight. Volunteers will be working in the Foodbank’s 83,000 sq. ft. warehouse on planned projects including sorting fresh produce like apples and potatoes, labeling cans and sorting a variety of meat to keep up with the growing demand for emergency food.

“By participating in Operation Orange, community members will help raise awareness for the 1 in 7 who experience food insecurity locally,” said Dan Flowers, president & CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “We invite you to become involved, and make a tangible difference in the fight to end hunger!”

The Foodbank plans to host more than 100 volunteers every hour during Operation Orange, like Angela, who runs a Foodbank member agency program and volunteered last year during Operation Orange, on her birthday.

“During the first Operation Orange, I got to spend my birthday opening boxes, presents of food that would bless others. I know what it was like to need food and to have no one, but people facing hunger in our community have the Foodbank, and local pantries like my church’s. The Foodbank has food because of volunteers like those at Operation Orange. It was breathtaking to be a part of an event that does so much good for the people in our community facing hunger, and this year I will be there again, doing more.”

To keep the energy levels in the warehouse high, live DJ’s will be at the Foodbank for 24 hours, along with an array of events including a “selfie station,” party games and a raffle. Food and refreshments will also be available from Operation Orange sponsors: Pizza Hut, Marco’s Pizza, Aladdin’s Eatery, Texas Roadhouse, Chipotle, Ivan’s Deli sponsored by Mimi Vanderhaven, Siciliano’s Pizza & Chicken and Starbuck’s coffee.

To get involved during Operation Orange, simply:

  • Grab a group of family members, friends or coworkers and help the Foodbank end hunger action month with a celebration! Sign-up to volunteer on the Foodbank’s website, akroncantonfoodbank.org/operation-orange.aspx. 
  • Volunteers will be working in the Foodbank’s warehouse on planned projects including sorting fresh produce like apples and potatoes, labeling cans, sorting a variety of meat and dispensing soap.
  • New this year, you can support your Foodbank by purchasing an Operation Orange t-shirt before the event! You also have the option to order customized t-shirts for your group, by August 14, 2014 at costore.com/acrfbstore.

In honor of Hunger Action Month, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank has received a generous donation of $10,000 from the Dominion Foundation to help feed people in its service region.

For more information, or to find out how you can get involved, please visit akroncantonfoodbank.org or call 330.535.6900.
 

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