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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.

🇺🇸 Akron, Ohio, United States1,804 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: • Refrigeration and electricity: $210 • Baby formula and diapers: $620 • 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.

  • Micah P. Figueroa 🇺🇸 · $500
  • Pradeep C. Kashyap 🇮🇳 · $250

    “Hope it all works out. Only $250 but hope it helps. - Bengaluru”

  • Usman Rashid Hussain 🇵🇰 · $124
  • Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $100

    “Good luck. Thought of Isabella all day after reading this. - Ahmedabad”

  • Étienne Raphaël Martinez 🇲🇦 · $77

    “Good luck. Small amount but sent with love. - Salé”

  • Lestari Ika Hutapea 🇮🇩 · $70
  • Margaux Inès Carre 🇫🇷 · $50

    “Thought of Isabella all day after reading this. - Boulogne-Billancourt”

  • Liam K. Oliver 🇺🇸 · $50

    “Keep your head up. Thought of Isabella all day after reading this. - Los Angeles”

  • Neema Nakato Musyoka 🇰🇪 · $50
  • Raphaël Lefèvre 🇫🇷 · $37
  • Zawadi Mwanaisha Mwangi 🇹🇿 · $30
  • Cristina A. Ibarra 🇺🇸 · $26
  • Ines Salma Slimani 🇪🇬 · $25
  • Lorenzo M. Cordero 🇲🇽 · $25
  • Regina M. Galindo 🇦🇷 · $25
  • Anonymous 🇮🇩 · $25

    “From my family to yours. From Depok with love.”

  • Veronika Larysa Kravchenko 🇺🇦 · $25
  • Lucky P. Adams 🇿🇦 · $20
  • Radha G. Chauhan 🇮🇳 · $15

    “Every little bit. - Patna”

  • Amit C. Goyal 🇺🇸 · $15

Reviews

2.2(5 reviews)

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

  • Patricia K. Vargas🇦🇷Verified 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 Oladipo🇳🇬Verified 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 Ahn🇺🇸Verified 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 Hossain🇧🇩Verified 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 Howlader🇧🇩Verified 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.

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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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