CLEVELAND — To donate to Double Dollar Day, call 330-777-7579 or click here.
No one should ever go hungry.
However, for many families in Northeast Ohio, not having enough food on the table is a harsh reality. And for 40 years, The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank has been trying to solve the problem by providing emergency food to people in Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties.
According to the Foodbank, in its eight-county service region, one in seven individuals and one in six children may struggle with hunger.
This is a reason why WKYC Studios is partnering with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank on Thursday, Dec. 1 to present a fundraiser called Double Dollar Day. All donations made by phone and online will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $115,000.
And that means double the meals.
Typically, $1 equals 4 meals, but on Double Dollar Day, $1 will help provide enough food for 8 meals.
Double Dollar Day is made possible by the generosity of Beaver Constructors, Inc., The J.M. Smucker Co. and friends of the Foodbank.
Double Dollar Day is an opportunity for the Foodbank to raise critically needed funds, as it has seen a 25% increase in new families visiting its food program. And although the number of people using Foodbank services is on the rise, food sourced from local retailer, wholesaler and manufacturer food donors is down by 19%.
“As food banks across the country grapple with a significant food donation shortage because of supply chain issues and inflation, funds raised through this match challenge will help us source food for distribution to our network of hunger-relief partners,” said Dan Flowers, Foodbank president and CEO. “As we head into the holiday season, we hope the community will continue to support the Foodbank and our neighbors facing hunger. It’s because of the community’s support that we can make a difference.”
Double Dollar Day will also include a food distribution event. On Thurs., Dec 1 from 1 – 3 p.m. Anyone can pick up food at the parking lot behind 510 S. Main Street in Akron. No registration is required.
To donate to Double Dollar Day, call 330-777-7579 or click here. Volunteers and staff are standing by to accept donations via phone on Thursday Dec. 1 from 4:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. And watch 3News throughout the day to find out more about the Foodbank’s impact on community.