WOOSTER — The Wooster Hope Center received a $40,000 matching grant from an anonymous local donor, and the donations will help meet the need for food assistance in Wayne County due to increases in grocery costs, its executive director said.
For every dollar donated to the Wooster Hope Center through the end of 2024, the donor will match it. The funds will support the distribution of food to families across Wayne County, Executive Director Richard Frazier said.
The Hope Center partners with the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, and it estimates 1 in 9 individuals in its service area might struggle with hunger. The number is 1 in 8 for children.
The growing need of area families is consistent with the findings of the 2023 Statewide Study of Hunger in Ohio. Here are the estimates for Wayne County:
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Food Insecurity Estimates: 10.1% or 11,830 individuals and 9.7% or 2,770 children
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Foodbank Impact: 1,554,452 lbs = 1,295,377 meals, including 442,436 pounds of fresh produce
“We are incredibly blessed to have the ongoing support of an anonymous donor in our community who continues to offer a matching donation challenge year after year,” said Frazier. “For 2024, the donor has graciously committed to matching up to $40,000, which would cover nearly 70 to 75 percent of our operating costs for the year if fully matched.
“The Wooster Hope Center is an all-volunteer organization, and this matching challenge is a cornerstone of our financial stability, providing essential funding for our programs and services,” Frazier added. “We deeply appreciate the generosity of this donor and the community members who give throughout the year, especially during this critical campaign. Their support makes it possible for us to continue serving those in need.”
The Wooster Hope Center provides food to hundreds of families weekly through its food pantry, open 12-3 p.m. Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m.-noon Friday at 807 Spruce St.
In addition to the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, the Wooster Hope Center also partners with Wooster Community Kitchen to stock local food boxes around the county, providing the food it distributes at no cost to them.
Financial donations are critical to purchase the nutritious food needed by Wayne County families. To donate, visit loveforwaynecounty.org, call 330-683-2242, or mail checks payable to the Wooster Hope Center to PO Box 1204, Wooster, OH 44691.
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Make check made payable to Wooster Hope Center, and send it to: Wooster Hope Center, PO Box 1204, Wooster OH 44691