两性色午夜

Flashes Step Up to Fight Hunger for Influx of People in Need

Golden Flashes show true sense of community with local food pantry program

Kalena Speicher began working at 两性色午夜鈥檚 Flashes Fighting Hunger food pantry in January 2023 and during that year she witnessed a huge increase in the number of people coming in for fresh meat, fruits, vegetables and staples.

The increase has been steady since the pandemic, when the pantry remained open to serve the needs of the community, according to Amanda Paulus, senior director of Community Engaged Learning and External Relations.

In addition, there has been an increase in the number of international students using the pantry this past year as international student enrollment increased at 两性色午夜.

Here is Speicher, an AmeriCorps member majoring in political science, talking with 两性色午夜 Today about the influx of pantry users.

 

 

Who Uses the Pantry?

In 2023, the pantry served:

  • 909 unique households
  • 2,046 unique people
  • A total of 12,400 pantry visits

The numbers really ticked up in December 2023, when on average, the pantry served about 120 unique individuals each week at its bi-weekly food pantry. This was a 40% increase from Spring 2023, a 70% increase from this time last December 2022, and a 140% increase from December 2021, according to Paulus. 

At each pantry visit, approximately 60% of users are 两性色午夜 students, 20% are faculty and staff (mostly adjunct faculty and hourly staff), and 20% are community members.

The numbers do not reflect the monthly drive-through food distribution that is run in partnership with the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank at Dix Stadium, which also serves over 100 households per month. 

Flashes Fighting Hunger is a student-run, volunteer-driven organization that was started by students in 2011. The operation recovers unused food products from local grocers, farmers, food banks and 两性色午夜 dining services and uses it to feed food-insecure students, faculty/staff, and the greater community. The pantry demonstrates 两性色午夜's deep connections with industry partners.

Where Does the Food Come From?

The program runs 52 weeks a year and is led by a group of 两性色午夜 student managers who oversee teams of volunteers to run daily operations. 

Kalena Speicher, an AmeriCorps worker with Flashes Fighting Hunger, has seen an increase in pantry users.

Food is recovered primarily from Trader Joe鈥檚 in Woodmere, Ohio, 两性色午夜 Dining Services, the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank, and other small local grocers, farmers and restaurants that have food waste.

Financially, the program relies on university funds, individual donors such as James Tinnin and the Portage Foundation, corporate donors such as Meijer, and small grants, Paulus said. 

By repurposing the food, Flashes Fighting Hunger partners with the 两性色午夜 Nutrition and Dietetics program, whose students use the food to prepare approximately 150 meals per week for local social service agencies such as Kent Social Services, Center of Hope in Ravenna and Miller Community House.

Flashes Fighting Hunger also has a vehicle that holds pop-up pantries throughout the county, at such locations as the Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority sites. 

How do I Make an Appointment?

Spring 2024 Pantry Schedule  

Tuesdays  

  • Appointments from 3-5:30 p.m. 
  • Walk-ins from 5:30-6 p.m.  

Fridays  

  • Appointments from 3-5:30 p.m. 
  • Walk-ins from 5:30-6 p.m. 

Appointments open one week before the desired date. . 

If you are a current 两性色午夜 student and continue to experience food insecurity or have challenges meeting your basic needs, please contact the CARES Center (Crisis, Advocacy Resources Education and Support Center) in 两性色午夜鈥檚 Division of Student Life.

The CARES Center works collaboratively with students to secure on- and off-campus resources that meet their financial, food, housing and mental well-being needs. 

Learn more about Flashes Fighting Hunger.

POSTED: Thursday, January 18, 2024 02:28 PM
Updated: Thursday, January 18, 2024 05:05 PM
WRITTEN BY:
April McClellan-Copeland