The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and ASW Global have partnered together to serve individuals and families facing hunger through the Foodbank’s mobile, pop-up pantry. The first grocery distribution will take place on Saturday from 10am-12pm at ASW Global. Community members should enter at 3325 Gilchrist Road in Mogadore.
Any community member in need of groceries can attend the drive-thru food distribution; it is not limited to Summit County residents. Community members should bring a photo ID if they have one, but this is not mandatory. There is no need to pre-register for the distribution.
The Foodbank will send its mobile, pop-up pantry to ASW Global the fourth Saturday of each month. The Foodbank will provide a variety of shelf-stable pantry items and fresh produce to distribute to families in need. ASW Global provides volunteers to help support the drive-thru distribution.
“At ASW Global we know the importance of community and engaging in efforts to strengthen it. We are excited to begin our partnership with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s pop-up pantry to assist in providing nutrition to families in our surrounding community that we couldn’t reach on our own,” said Angelia Leggett, executive administrative assistant at ASW Global.
A few years ago, the Foodbank started conceptualizing a way to make groceries more accessible to struggling communities by bringing food directly to these areas. Thus, the idea for a mobile pantry was born. The Foodbank’s pop-up pantry is an innovative way to offer food access to communities with limited food resources.
“This vehicle has allowed us to expand opportunities for collaboration and partnership — ultimately working together to meet the needs of the community in partnership with local stakeholders,” said Katie Carver Reed, director, network partners and programs. “The vehicle was designed to be nimble and flexible, which gives us the opportunity to test a location and neighborhood to gauge what the need is, and to see how receptive community members are to this service.”
To review frequently asked questions about food distributions or to find a food program, please visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/need-food.