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Weekly meals for elderly neighbors in Akron

The Open Hands Pantry pantry in Akron is running low just as demand rises; $2,750 will stock it for 9 weeks.

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Akron, Ohio, United States1,803 views
Isabella E. Russell
Email verified
Akron
Since 2020, our volunteer team has run Open Hands Pantry every Saturday from the back of a school canteen. We started with 18 families, and now we feed 220 each week. Donations have dropped by about 37% this winter, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 13 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Akron market and keep every receipt. Each $35 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $2,750 goes: โ€ข Refrigeration and electricity: $210 โ€ข Baby formula and diapers: $620 โ€ข Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $1,920 Glad we found this place.

Updates from Isabella

  1. Update from Akron: I met with the wholesaler and confirmed the amounts. We're at 21% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  • Usman Rashid Hussain ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ ยท $124
  • Cristina A. Ibarra ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $26
  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $100

    โ€œGood luck. Thought of Isabella all day after reading this. - Ahmedabadโ€

  • Radha G. Chauhan ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $15

    โ€œEvery little bit. - Patnaโ€

  • Lestari Ika Hutapea ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $70
  • Daniela Manuela Bastos ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $10
  • Lucky P. Adams ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ยท $20
  • Amit C. Goyal ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $15
  • Ines Salma Slimani ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $25
  • Margaux Inรจs Carre ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $50

    โ€œThought of Isabella all day after reading this. - Boulogne-Billancourtโ€

  • Micah P. Figueroa ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $500
  • Lorenzo M. Cordero ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ยท $25
  • Regina M. Galindo ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $25
  • Zulkifli Aditya Cahyono ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $15

    โ€œThinking of you. My colleague told me about this one. - Bandungโ€

  • Pradeep C. Kashyap ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $250

    โ€œHope it all works out. Only $250 but hope it helps. - Bengaluruโ€

  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $25

    โ€œFrom my family to yours. From Depok with love.โ€

  • Liam K. Oliver ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $50

    โ€œKeep your head up. Thought of Isabella all day after reading this. - Los Angelesโ€

  • Raphaรซl Lefรจvre ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $37
  • Neema Nakato Musyoka ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช ยท $50
  • Veronika Larysa Kravchenko ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ยท $25

Reviews

2.2(5 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Patricia K. Vargas๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ทVerified helper
    Amazing support system

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Chioma Amaka Oladipo๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified helper
    Patient and understanding

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

  • Ye-eun Young-ja Ahn๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified helper
    Great help in a difficult time

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Ruma Ayesha Hossain๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉVerified donor
    Honest and trustworthy

    Couldn't have asked for better support. They listened carefully, understood my situation deeply, and provided thoughtful advice that actually worked. Thank you so much.

  • Sathi Runa Howlader๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉVerified donor
    Made me feel heard

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

Questions & comments

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  • your post was clear and honest. Wish I lived closer to Pasig so I could bring a meal. Blessings.

    • Hang in there, Isabella. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier

      • Thinking of you. Looking forward to the next update. Thinking of Akron

        $1,584 raised of $2,750

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