Raising a Cup of Kindness

By fromskilledhands ( December 4, 2009 at 9:59 am) · Filed under Cups of Kindness, , , , , , , ,

Cups Of KindnessHunger does not discriminate; it affects people without regard to background or social status. In our land of plenty, people are hungry every day; they have to decide between paying rent or eating, between medication or food, between staying warm and buying groceries. Of this I am certain: having enough to eat is a right rather than a privilege.

The mission of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is simple: Feed People.  Fight Hunger.

The Foodbank uses its resources well: each dollar that is donated purchases $7 worth of food and grocery products to those in need. Meals that provide sustenance to people who are already stressed. No questions asked. When I recently toured the facility, I was amazed by the quantity of food that was ready to distribute to agencies large and small. The facility was immaculate; the people, both volunteers and paid staff, passionate about their purpose.

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is located in Akron, Ohio. It serves 8 Ohio counties: Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne. It distributes food to more than 400 member agencies that provide food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters and other emergency hunger-relief programs.


The statistics are mind boggling:

the Foodbank serves over 163,000 people annually.

*1 out of every 3 are children under age 18

*1 out of every 10 is a senior citizen

*One in eight Ohioans lives in poverty

*Ohio ranks third in childhood food insecurity for children under 5 —        hungry or at risk for hunger

*One in eight Ohioans use the Food Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)

*Every $1 donated to the Foodbank provides $7 worth of food and grocery products for people in need.

*There has been a 23% increase for food requests for food at food pantries over the requests in 2008.

*In 2008, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank distributed 16 million pounds of food.

*In 2009, the Foodbank is on pace to distribute 17.5 million pounds of food.


We are reaching out to others by giving hope. There is, I think, joy and intrinsic satisfaction in helping people who will never know who we are. As members of a world community, we have a moral and ethical responsibility to share our resources and to preserve dignity.

Cups of Kindness is now in it’s second year. This year, we are pleased to join with the Peninsula Art Academy, the Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, local, regional and national artists and a group of dedicated volunteers to support the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Local, national and regional artists — over 70, have raised a cup of kindness by donating over 125 pieces of artwork; the proceeds from the sale of the work will benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

If you are in our neck of the woods on Saturday, December 5, from 10-2, join us for light refreshments at our opening reception. The show will run until January 10, 2010.

Take a look at our website to see some of the beautiful pieces of art that have been donated.  Items will be available for purchase online on the evening of Sunday, December 6.


We the People have proved the Power. Of. One. — over and over again. We have shown that we can, with our hands and hearts, help our friends and neighbors in a time of need.   As Margaret Mead said, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

We can do this: One. Cup. At. A. Time.


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1 Comment »

  1. gerry rosser said,

    December 5, 2009 @ 10:59 am

    Hunger is everywhere.

    It is pitiful that in our nation which, if a dirt-poor debtor in the money sense, is rich in its agricultural bounty, so many are hungry. I saw an article recently that we Americans waste 40% of our food. I don’t think our household record on that beats the national average.

    As I’ve probably mentioned in the past, our efforts to help the hungry are done locally, much as yours are.

    It all seems overwhelming.

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