Our food pantry offers hot lunch the last two weeks of the month, an emergency three-day supply of food,
and programs to help feed the hungry.

Part of Our Mission is To Feed the Hungry

Our food pantry is stocked with items from churches, schools, businesses and concerned individuals who donate food and money to help us feed the hungry. We also work closely with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Hunger is a growing problem in urban America. We experienced a dramatic increase in the number of families who came to us when the economy took its dramatic downturn in 2008. Unfortunately, we have had little relief since then. Families are now coming to us from the affluent suburbs of northern Summit County where job losses have been devastating. Where we once considered ourselves a neighborhood mission in the inner-city Akron, we now see the need for our services growing well beyond the city limits.

Last year, the food pantry handled 2,246 referrals and provided a 3-day emergency supply of food to more than 7,720 adults and children. Each year, about a quarter-million pounds of food is collected by organizations, civic groups and our covenant churches to stock our pantry shelves.

In 2008 the Committee of Hope was formed. The goal of this group was to contact area schools, businesses and organizations to hold food drives for us throughout the year. This has turned out to be a very successful endeavor. During 2011, 41,857 pounds of food was collected by various schools, civic groups, individuals and our covenant partners to help stock our shelves. On top of that, 20,800 pounds of food was collected for our 200 Christmas food boxes. At a cost of $1.50 per pound, the Christmas food boxes represent about $31,200 in value.

Our shelves are stocked with items from several different sources: the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, individuals and organizations. Late in 2008 our School Committee of Hope was formed with a goal of contacting area schools to encourage these schools to hold food drives for us throughout the year. With the assistance of these schools, other groups and individuals, we can rely less on purchasing food.

The OPEN M Pantry is open during the week from Monday through Thursday 11:30 am to 2:00 pm and provides emergency supplies to families whose stocks are running short. Contact Info Line, Inc. at 330-376-4850 for eligibility requirements and registration.

Food Drives

Is your group interested in organizing a food drive of non-perishable items that would benefit the clients OPEN M serves? To receive a packet of information full of details and flyers to help you begin organizing a food drive please contact Colleen McMahon, Food Drive Committee Chair, at execasst@openm.org or by phone at 330.434.0110 ext. 428. Our committee members will gladly schedule a pick-up date that we can collect your food drive items. Our Food Drive Committee of Hope looks forward to the opportunity to collaborate on a food drive that would benefit our clients seeking assistance.

The Mountain of Food Giveaway

On the third Friday of every month, excluding December, dozens of families come to our Mountain of Food giveaway, at which families receive a bag of staples to put food on the table. The Mountain of Food Giveaway runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Hundreds more come for a hot lunch during the last two weeks of each month when the need is the greatest. These meals – 15,319  last year – are prepared and served by volunteers from our covenant churches and other organizations.