(Editor's note: The following is a press release from the Akron-Canton Foodbank with additional comments.)
The community gathered on Feb. 13, 2013 to kick off the 22nd Harvest for Hunger campaign at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, one of the largest food and funds drives in the country. With the need for food now greater than ever before, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is encouraging community participation to help reach its local goal of $1 million for the 2013 campaign.
The energy in the room was contagious. Volunteers formed a line, and clapped for more than 100 community members walking in to the 85,000 sq. ft. warehouse to celebrate the beginning of Harvest for Hunger. The crowd was seated in a circle, and Dan Flowers, President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, stood in the middle motivating the audience to make this the most successful Harvest for Hunger campaign in history.
"Let's declare our hope and faith in the goodness that we can create," said Dan Flowers. "Let's
create more light and drive back more darkness because that's the kind of community we want
to live in— A community where our love for humanity compels us to act with unrelenting
goodness. That's what this campaign is. That what you represent."
One in six Ohioans are at risk of hunger. Twenty-five percent of the funds the Foodbank raises throughout the entire year will happen during Harvest for Hunger. The goal of this year's Harvest for Hunger campaign is the largest and most aggressive in Foodbank history.
One hundred percent of all Harvest for Hunger donations will go directly toward feeding hungrymen, women and children in our eight country service area. The campaign is a collaborative effort of four food banks serving 21 counties in northeast Ohio. Participating food banks include the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Cleveland Foodbank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Mahoning Valley and the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio.
The local 2013 Harvest for Hunger campaign is being led by two respected leaders from the
healthcare industry, William H. Considine, President & CEO of Akron Children's Hospital and
Edward J. Roth, III, President & CEO of Aultman Health Foundation. Roth spoke at the
campaign kick-off encouraging the community to get involved for this great cause.
There are two major components to the Harvest for Hunger campaign, food and funds drives
and Check Out Hunger. Nearly 300 businesses, schools, community organizations and families
are holding food and funds drives throughout the months of March and April. Food and funds
drive coordinators can register and download a coordinator's kit from the Foodbank's website.
Last year the Foodbank raised $865,000 during Harvest for Hunger, and 110,000 pounds of food. A large portion of those funds raised is due to Check Out Hunger, which allows shoppers to scan coupons and make donations of $1, $5 or $10 at the check-out register. Check Out Hunger is available at Buehler's Fresh Foods, Dave's Supermarkets, Fishers Foods, Giant Eagle, and Heinen's Fine Foods.
"Harvest for Hunger helps make free food available to the more than 500 agency programs operated by the Foodbank, such as hot meal sites, soup kitchens and pantries," Flowers said.
This program runs from February 17-March 30 at all stores operated by
the five supermarkets within the 21-county campaign region. The biggest impact in the fight
against hunger is made through financial donations. Every $1 donation provides four meals for
people in need. Donations are accepted at the Foodbank by phone, mail or online at
www.akroncantonfoodbank.org.
In addition, this year the foodbank hosts the first ever Harvest for Hunger Idol-gone-virtual singing competition.
"Virtual Idol is a great way to raise funds to feed the hungry while supporting local singers and vocal groups for the tile of Harvest for Hunger Idol," Flowers said.
For a donation, community members become a contestant by submitting a 3-minute singing video. For a complete list of rules and details, please go to akroncantonfoodbank.org.
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