Food for all: Local groups step up as Wayne County families face growing food insecurity
Updated directory highlights dozens of food pantries and meal sites; health officials urge donations, volunteering and awareness as need rises.
Many Wayne County residents are struggling to access enough food, especially during the holiday season. Local officials report hunger remains a significant issue in the community and emphasize the need for support.Submitted
“If you can’t feed 100 people, then just feed one.”
—Mother Teresa
While many are shopping, cooking, baking and preparing for gatherings with family and friends, others in Wayne County are struggling to afford enough food to put on the table.
“It is a tragedy anytime someone does not have enough food to eat," Wayne County Health Commissioner Nicholas Cascarelli said. "And unfortunately, we have that problem right here.”
Cascarelli encourages everyone to help however they can. All area food pantries, kiosks and meal sites need assistance, and many also need volunteers.
“At a minimum,” Cascarelli said, “if you are unable to donate time or money, please help steer people in need to the resources available.”
Annonse
Karen Potter, executive director of the nonprofit A Whole Community Inc., developed a Wayne County directory to assist those experiencing food insecurity. Through several programs, AWC purchases vegetables and fruit from local farms and delivers the produce to low-income individuals through local food pantries, free meal sites and low-income neighborhoods.
Demand for food assistance is rising, as shown by sharp increases at the county’s monthly pop-up pantry and other distribution sites.Submitted
“I first started compiling this list in 2014 when I worked for the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Wayne and Holmes County,” Potter said. “Food insecurity was one of our top four needs at that time, so I decided to develop a food pantries and meal sites directory. There was a lot of outdated information or partial lists.”
After starting AWC, Potter continued offering the directory. It is updated annually and sent to Wayne County schools, government agencies, hospitals, Family and Children First Council, food pantries, meal sites and others. This year, despite it being a busy time for her nonprofit, Potter completed another update in the fall.
“I didn’t realize how important it would be in the following month or two during the government shutdown and now for the holiday season,” she said.
Anyone interested in volunteering for A Whole Community may email Potter at karen948@gmail.com.
The Wayne County Health Department collaborates with the Akron/Canton Regional Food Bank for a pop-up, once-a-month food pantry in Wooster. Typically, 125 families receive food each month. Last month, that number nearly doubled. Cascarelli said the food bank works with several Wayne County pantries. He directs individuals to the food bank for donations. Along with many other sites in the county, the pop-up pantry needs volunteers.
In addition to pantries and meal sites, Persophenea’s Giving Plate is a nonprofit organization based in Wayne County offering weekly hot meal delivery to as many as they have capacity for.
“Since 2019 we’ve been combating food insecurity through education and weekly meal deliveries,” said Marquise Merriweather, a co-founder and executive director. “Recently, we’ve shifted our mission to focus on empowerment, giving families the tools to overcome food insecurity at home through our new initiative, Project Tangible.”
PGP needs financial support and volunteers and can be reached online at pgpwaynecounty.org, Facebook or via email at info@pgpwaynecounty.org.
Potter offered suggestions for what to include when purchasing food for donation.
“Please help our community members by donating healthy, low-sodium, low-sugar items in cans or other nonperishable packages,” Potter said. “No glass containers, please.”
Specific ideas include canned tuna in water, canned meats, peanut butter, canned soups, canned vegetables, whole-grain pasta and rice, pasta sauce, canned or dry beans, whole-grain and low-sugar cereal, oatmeal and other whole grains, canned fruit in its own juices, and canola or olive oil.
The range of resources available in the area is a tangible example of the caring hearts in the local communities. “We have people hungry right here in our backyard,” Cascarelli said. “It could be your neighbor or a relative, so please donate your time or resources.”
The following is a listing of Wayne County food pantries and meal sites. There may be inadvertent omissions, errors and changes. It is strongly suggested to contact the organization or site before venturing out for assistance. Sites also may be contacted to determine their donation and volunteer needs.
Community members are encouraged to donate nutritious nonperishable food, volunteer their time and support local organizations working to fight hunger.Submitted
Food pantries
Apple Creek United Methodist Church
330-698-3101
269 W. Main St., Apple Creek
Third Saturday each month from 9:30-11 a.m.
Southeast Local residents only. Call ahead.
St. Peter’s United Church of Christ
330-698-2661
68 W. Main St., Apple Creek
Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Not income-based. Available to everyone.
Creston Community Church/Salvation Army
330-435-4485
111 Sterling St., Creston
First, third and fifth Saturday from 10-11 a.m.
No geographic restrictions
Dalton Baptist Church
330-828-8302
400 Lincoln Way Drive, Dalton
Mondays from 10-10:30 a.m.
Photo ID, any county, 200% poverty level or below
Doylestown United Methodist Church
330-658-2224
153 Church St., Doylestown
Fourth Saturday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. or by appointment
For Chippewa Township, photo ID and utility bill
Five Voices Food Pantry
Fivevoicesorrville.org
516 W. High St., Orrville
Third Saturday each month from 10 a.m. to noon
Orrville Christian Church
330-682-3686
925 N. Elm St., Orrville
Last Monday from 5:30-7 p.m.
May, November and December. Call office for details
Wayne County residents, photo ID and income eligible
Orrville Salvation Army
330-683-3138
401 W. High St., Orrville
Call office to arrange pickup time
Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Proof of Orrville, Dalton, Kidron, North Lawrence or Marshallville residence, photo ID
St. Agnes Catholic Church/St. Vincent De Paul Society
330-682-2611
541 Spring St., Orrville
Call for details about the food pantry
Community Action Wayne/Medina — Rittman
330-927-1871
88 N. Main St., Suite 201, Rittman
Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m.
Photo ID and proof of income, Wayne County or Medina County
SS card or birth certificate for all household members
Crown Hill Mennonite Church
330-927-1716
9693 Benner Road, Rittman
Last Thursday each month from 3-5 p.m. and last Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Photo ID and proof of income
Eastern Road Relief Center
330-927-0448
2600 Eastern Road, Rittman
Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon
Photo ID and income guidelines
Sterling United Methodist Church
330-939-2751
13584 Kauffman Ave., Sterling
Last Sunday of month from 5-5:30 p.m.
For Norwayne School District
Mohican Church
419-846-3932
7759 N. Elyria Road, West Salem
Third Thursday each month from 5:30-7 p.m.
Grocery bag distribution; anyone in need is welcome
West Salem Outreach & Food Pantry
419-853-4588
99 E. Buckeye St., West Salem
First Friday of month from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 5-5:30 p.m.
Greater West Salem area and NW School District
Community Action Wayne/Medina — West Salem
99 E. Buckeye St., West Salem
Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m.
Photo ID and proof of income, Wayne County or Medina County
SS card or birth certificate for all household members
People To People Ministries
330-262-1662
454 E. Bowman St., Wooster
Monday through Friday from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.
Proof of Wayne County residency past 90 days and proof of past 30 days of income
Wooster Hope Center
330-683-2242
807 Spruce St., Wooster
Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m., Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon
Photo ID, Wayne County residence and 200% poverty level or below
Wayne County Health Department Pop-up Food Pantry
244 W. South St., Wooster
Second Tuesday of month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
ID required
Food pantries/meal sites
Creston Canaan United Methodist Church
330-435-4701
166 S. Main St., Creston
Second and fourth Thursdays from 5-6 p.m.
Grab-and-go pantry cupboard on property.
No eligibility requirements
Rittman United Methodist Church
330-925-4015
211 N. Metzger Ave., Rittman
Third Wednesday of month from 4-5:30 p.m.
Food pantry and community dinner, Rittman residents only, need ID
Shreve Community Church
330-567-2051
430 N. Main St., Shreve
Food pantry Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m.
Meal offered third Wednesday of the month from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Proof of Shreve or close resident
Meal sites
Ausburg Lutheran Church
330-682-2581
140 W. Water St., Orrville
Tuesdays during school year from noon to 1 p.m. Sack lunch
No proof of income
Not in operation second week of June to end of August
Friendship Meals Inc.
Friendshipmealsinc@gmail.com
301 N. Main St., Orrville
Second, third, fourth and fifth Thursdays from 5:15-6:30 p.m.
Orrville Mennonite Church
330-682-5801
1305 W. Market St., Orrville
Mondays from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
No requirements
The Server
51 N. Main St., Rittman
Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
No requirements
West Salem St. Stephen Catholic Church
330-853-4946
44 Britton St., West Salem
Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Wooster
330-264-9420
621 College Ave., Wooster
Meals for all program
Last Monday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
No requirements
Homeward Bound of Wooster and Wayne County
981 Grosjean Road, Wooster
Everyday lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Everyday supper from 6:30-8 p.m.
Center's hours of day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (showers/laundry)
Salvation Army-Wooster Corps
330-264-4704
437 S. Market St., Wooster
Mondays through Fridays lunch from noon to 12:45 p.m.
Open to public, no income requirements
Salem Lutheran Church Wooster
330-345-6727
4873 Cleveland Road, Wooster
Mondays at 6 p.m., lower level
Free community meal and Bible study
Seventh Day Adventist Church
330-264-3117
445 N. Bever St., Wooster
Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m.
Trinity United Church Of Christ
330-264-9250
150 E. North St., Wooster
Mondays through Fridays from 8:30-9:30 a.m., eat-in breakfast
