The Hunger Challenge Begins in Kent and Ravenna

Family & Community Services, Inc.

The Annual Hunger Challenge between Kent Social Services and Center of Hope has officially begun. Each April, the two food pantries team up with local philanthropists and city mayors to raise money for hunger in their communities. It is a friendly competition between the Kent and Ravenna communities to get the most monetary and non-perishable food item donations.

In Portage County, approximately 22,500 community members struggle with hunger. Kent Social Services and Center of Hope are on the front lines of the regional response to hunger, and last year distributed over 60,000 meals and over 7,500 pantry orders to families in need. The Hunger Challenge, the largest fundraiser of the year for the two pantries, is crucial in making sure they are able to serve our community members facing food insecurity.

Hal Dubois, executive Director if the Dubois Family Foundation, and Neil Mann, CEO of Allen Aircraft Products have generously offered to match a portion of monetary donations made to each organization. Last year, the two programs were able to raise $15,000 and collect more than 10,000 food items.

As part of the Hunger Challenge, Ravenna Mayor Frank Seman, and Kent Mayor Jerry Fiala compete to see who can raise the most money for their city. On Saturday April 27th from 10am until 1pm Fiala will be at Kent Social Services to collect donations at Kent Social Services and Seman will volunteer to collect donations for the Center of Hope at Tractor Supply Co. on 1149 E. Main St. in Ravenna.

All donations made from April 1 through April 30 will count toward the Hunger Challenge. Kent Social Services is located at 1066 S. Water Street in Kent and the Center of Hope is located on 1081 W. Main Street in Ravenna. For more information about how to donate or get involved, please contact Marquice Seward at [email protected].