The North Canton Church of Christ (NCCOC) serves as a vital resource for our community during the COVID-19 crisis and all year long. A member of the Foodbank’s hunger-relief network, NCCOC is one of our largest partners in Stark County.
NCCOC offers a variety of food programs to ensure families in need don’t experience hunger. Offering a pantry, food boxes for seniors, and a backpack and snack program for children, NCCOC makes a lasting impact on the 1 in 7 individuals in Stark County who face food insecurity. They’re even more busy now helping families impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We couldn’t do 99 percent of what we do without the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank,” explained Rod, church outreach minister who manages the food pantry. “The majority of our food comes from the Foodbank.”
Regardless of the situation that brings someone to the church, Rod has developed relationships with many of the people served by their food programs. It’s their stories that continue to challenge and inspire him to make a difference in the lives of his neighbors.
He references a plumber who had a heart attack and could no longer work. With minimal in savings, he was soon in the food line in need of help. Or the single mom who works two part-time jobs to feed her children but struggles near the end of the month.
“These people are really struggling to make ends meet. They’re not looking for a handout; they’re trying their best to work.”
Because of your support, the Foodbank and its network of hunger-relief partners continues to serve as a place to turn for our community members struggling with food insecurity.