Save the Date!  On Sunday, July 18th, the Good Samaritan Hunger Center van will be parked in front of the church to collect donations of nonperishable food.  Help us fill the van!!

Good Samaritan Hunger Center, incorporated in 1982, was the vision of Sister Jordan Hadad, that ‘one day no man, woman or child would go hungry.’ Akron Catholic Commission sponsored those beginnings. After a survey, conducted by the Commission, determined a need in the West Akron area, a hot meal site was opened at Providence Baptist Church, 458 Madison Avenue. At first, food was prepared in the homes of many volunteers. Soon the need for more sites became apparent. St. Sebastian Catholic Church offered the use of the kitchen in Byrider Hall where the meals were prepared and then transported to four different locations. Good Samaritan also has pantry sites that afford clients the dignity of preparing meals in their own homes.

Today, Good Samaritan obtains food from local grocery stores and restaurants, as well as food drive contributions and the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank. Three times a week, Good Samaritan travels to at-risk neighborhoods to serve hot meals, including a salad, an entrée, a fruit dish, a vegetable dish, bread and butter, dessert and a beverage. Two times a week, there are pantry days, again traveling to at-risk neighborhoods where client volunteers fill grocery bags with food items from the pantry and from grocery stores. Clients may choose fresh vegetables and fruit, and meat is offered when possible. Once a month, children of clients are offered eggs, milk, peanut butter and cereal. In total, each week Good Samaritan offers 200 meals, 250 bags of groceries (for 4 meals each), and 200 hot soups!

St. Paul’s supports the work of Good Samaritan Hunger Center through individual volunteer efforts of our members, financial contributions, and food drives for the pantry. To find out about volunteer opportunities, contact Nan Bartlett.

For more information, click here to visit Good Samaritan's website!