We’re proud to partner with approximately 500 food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters, backpack and afterschool programs, and other hunger-relief programs within our eight-county area. These committed partners serve our community members in neighborhoods where people need food.
He Brought Us Out Ministries, located in the North Hill neighborhood of Akron, knows it is making a significant impact on people’s lives. During a focus group
comprised of food recipients, a man stated he was able to save up for and purchase much-needed medicine for his family because he can receive groceries
at the ministry’s pantry. “That was really powerful to hear,” said Executive Director Gary Wyatt.
Once a month, the pantry opens its doors and serves approximately 100 families. In 2019, it helped provide 56,600 meals for nearly 4,000 people facing hunger. “The need is real. You can never give away enough food. We know that a kid can’t learn and focus on an empty stomach.”
He Brought Us Out Ministries was chosen to participate in the Voices project, a client-centered feedback program to help inform system improvements which was funded by the Huntington Akron Foundation. Foodbank staff helped facilitate focus groups and surveys to better understand a client’s experience while at the pantry.
“We’re all about making changes and improving the process for the better. People are already down; we’re here to treat them with respect and give them incredible food,” said Gary.
After evaluating client survey results and feedback, the pantry made a few key changes. With approximately 30 languages spoken in North Hill, language differences were a major barrier. Working with Foodbank staff, a video was created in English and Nepali to explain how the pantry operates. For non-English readers, signs using images were also created to enhance the process.
Gary and his team of volunteers are passionate about serving the people of North Hill. “If we can do just one thing to remove the stress or depression someone is feeling during this low time in their life, then we’ve done our part.”