Lake Township FISH reports strong year of service in 2025

Kelsey Wood, director of Lake Township FISH, provided an update on the organization’s services and community impact in 2025.

Lake Township FISH offers a food pantry, the Agape Bread Ministry and limited financial assistance to Lake Township residents. In 2025, the food pantry served 285 families and 1,600 individuals. The organization provided $23,098 in housing assistance and $10,307 in utility assistance to township residents.

The Agape Bread Ministry served 5,554 families and distributed bread to 122 groups, totaling 34,920 trays. In addition, Thanksgiving meal bags were distributed to 199 families serving 601 people, and the Lake Community Christmas Program assisted 83 families and 225 children with books, toys and clothing.

“Thank you to everyone who helped this year,” Wood said. “We are truly blessed and grateful.”

Wood also thanked donors for strong support, particularly in December, when contributions exceeded the $20,000 goal by $8,000. “Thank you so very much for thinking of us this year as we continue to help our community,” she said.

Additional support came from Lake Elementary School, where students raised more than $700 through a pajama-day fundraiser, and from the Canton Corvette Club, which donated $400 to Lake Township FISH and the SH Agape Bread Ministry.

The pantry is currently seeking donations of soups, pasta sauce, breakfast foods such as pancake mix, cereal and Pop-Tarts, and toiletries including toilet paper and paper towels. Donation drop-off times are Mondays from 9–11 a.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–noon.

Wood reminded residents that Lake Township FISH is available to help those in need. The food pantry operates as a free grocery store for qualifying residents and is open Tuesdays from 10–11 a.m. and Thursdays from 6–7 p.m., with visits allowed every two weeks. The pantry is located at 13155 Market Ave. N in Hartville.

The Agape Bread Ministry provides free bread and bakery items Wednesdays from 10–11 a.m. and Saturdays from 9–11 a.m. Diapers and feminine hygiene products are also available through a partnership with the Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank.

Lake Township FISH is currently seeking a food pantry coordinator. More information about services, donations and employment opportunities is available at laketownshipfish.org.