Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank President and CEO Dan Flowers reminded everyone of the new mission statement to fuel Harvest For Hunger.
“Feed People. Fight Hunger.”
At the campaign kick-off for the 2010 Harvest For Hunger drive held at the foodbank headquarters in Akron, Flowers talked about how the economic situation has made what they do important to even more people.
That is why the goal has been raised to $700,000, which is $100,000 more than last year.
“Why are we asking for more?” Flowers said. “It’s not hard for any of us to believe. More and more people are visiting food pantries, many for the first time.”
Flowers said there are 40,000 people that need fed every week through the Foodbank in the eight counties that this campaign will reach. Last year, 9 million pounds of food were passed out by 400 food banks in these areas.
People have been helping those in Haiti and New Orleans and other crisis thousands of miles away. Now they have the ability to help those in their own community Flowers said.
Also speaking at the event were the co-chairs for the drive, The Repository’s Kevin Kampman and the Akron Beacon Journal’s Andrea Mathewson.
Kampman thanked the people in attendance - a larger crowd than in previous years - for helping this cause.
“You are giving your most precious asset - your time,” Kampman said.
Kampman encouraged those who have not yet registered for a food drive to do so, as this year is just as important as ever to make sure the goal set by the Foodbank is reached.
“This has to be successful,” he said.
Kampman encouraged people to go the grocery store and take a ticket that will be on display near the cash register of Acme Fresh Markets, Buehler’s Fresh Foods, Dave’s Supermarkets, Fishers Foods, Giant Eagle and Heinen’s Fine Foods. There are options for $1, $5 and $10 and every $1 that people donate will provide three meals for people who need it. This option is available now through April 10.
Mathewson spoke about the inserts that will be in both the ABJ and Repository in this weekend’s edition. People can use paper to donate money and food to the Harvest for Hunger cause.
Mathewson made sure to point out that all the money raised stays in the eight county areas of Stark, Summit, Portage, Tuscarawas, Wayne, Carroll, Holmes and Medina.
The County of Summit Director of Communications Jill Hinig Skapin talked about their unique offer. They will be selling a cook book that contains 129 recipes that people can purchase and all the money goes straight to Harvest For Hunger.
There is also the Harvest For Hunger Idol event on Wednesday, March 24 at the Akron Civic Theatre at 5 p.m. Tickets are $3 and people will see a fundraising talent show for a good cause.
For more information on how to help, buy tickets to Hunger Idol, set up a food drive and donate, go to the Foodbank’s Web site www.akroncantonfoodbank.org.
