Compassion Delivered celebrates 10 years in Stark County

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce held a MorningCONNECTIONS Road Trip on Feb. 18 at Evermore Community Church, where Amanda and Daniel Anschutz of Compassion Delivered shared their story and offered a tour of the commercial kitchen. The tongue-in-cheek reason for the presentation was to kick off a yearlong celebration of the organization’s 10th anniversary.

Compassion Delivered’s mission is to provide high-quality, medically tailored meals at no cost to people suffering from life-threatening or terminal diseases. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Daniel Anschutz, executive chef and co-founder, began preparing meals for the nonprofit in 2017 while also working as an executive chef, starting at Glenmoor Country Club. He was named About Magazine’s Readers’ Pick for Best Chef in Stark County. On Mondays – his day off – he cooked for Compassion Delivered, and Monday remains cooking day. He later worked with the 91 Restaurant Group, The Blue Heron Café and Shady Hollow Country Club before stepping away in May 2021 to focus full time on the nonprofit as it grew.

Amanda Anschutz, a 1997 Lake High School graduate, earned a degree in business communication from Grace College and Seminary and worked in sales before co-founding Compassion Delivered. She often says she stays out of the kitchen and Daniel stays out of the office. Together, they believe an act of kindness, such as a meal, can bring hope, compassion and strength.

Compassion Delivered began with three clients, or “spots,” as they call them, because those spots change based on the health of the individuals they serve. Since its founding, the organization has helped 900 spots, which may include not only the individual who is ill but also family members or caregivers, depending on the need identified through the application process. Amanda Anschutz said a 2024 Stark County study identified 18,000 potential spots that could benefit from such services. The organization currently serves 110 spots.

Compassion Delivered has partnered with Evermore since 2020. The church provides a commercial-grade kitchen and space for multiple refrigeration units to store ingredients and prepared meals. By the end of 2026, the organization expects to have delivered 100,000 meals since its inception.

As it grows, Compassion Delivered is adding staff. Beth Ransome will join in March as volunteer and community relations specialist. In April, Julia Nicolli will become client support specialist. This summer, the organization will welcome its first intern, Abby Collier.

Volunteer opportunities are available. On Mondays, helpers are needed in the kitchen to work alongside Chef Daniel preparing and assembling meals and soups. Cooking skills are optional; a willingness to learn is required. Meals are delivered on Fridays, and volunteers are needed for one to two hours midmorning to deliver food. Those interested can visit compassiondelivered.org or email volunteer@compassiondelivered.org.

Another way to help is to sponsor a meal. Companies, families and individuals may give financially or volunteer. Amanda Anschutz can be reached at 330-575-0996 or amanda@compassiondelivered.org for more information.

Several special events are planned this year. The sixth annual Swing for Change Golf Playday will be held May 29 at Sable Creek Golf Course. The ninth annual Be the Change Gala is set for Oct. 9. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Compassion Delivered will also celebrate its 10-year anniversary Aug. 18 with North Canton’s Compassion Delivered Day, designated by proclamation five years ago by then-Mayor Stephan Wilder. An open house will be held from 4-8 p.m. at Evermore, with a ceremony at 5:45 p.m. Details will be shared on social media.