Executive Pry Partners with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to Distribute Food to Families in Need

On Monday, November 19, 2007, from 1 to 4 p.m., Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry will be distributing boxes of non-perishable food items and personal care products to families in need at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, located at 350 Opportunity Parkway in Akron.

A one-time grant from the State of Ohio has provided the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services with 1,980 box sets of non-perishable food items and personal care products to distribute to randomly selected Ohio Works First (OWF) clients. All eligible recipients have been notified.

“Statistics show that there are over 50,000 citizens in Summit County who are at or below the poverty line,” said Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry. “I want to let these citizens know that I am aware of their struggle and committed to working to end hunger throughout the community.”

In 2007, the County of Summit forwarded $250,000 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funds to assist the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank with renovations to their new facility. In addition to the funding, the County of Summit annually participates in the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s Harvest for Hunger Campaign. In 2007, Summit County government employees collected $8,541 in monetary donations and 2,812 pounds of food. The money and food donated by employees allowed the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to serve a total of 59,000 meals.

“This is a good example of the expanded services that can be provided by the Foodbank in its new facility,” said Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank President and CEO Dan Flowers. “We are grateful for the support of the County of Summit and its employees throughout the year and pleased to be partnering with them for this distribution of food and personal care items to help so many families.”