Akron resident Rhonda Junius relies on the food pantry at Open M, a local non-profit that offers a variety of community services.
Junius has to. She can’t afford groceries.
That’s why she’s worried about federal budget cuts and tariffs impacting programs that supply food banks and food pantries with meat, eggs, canned goods, personal hygiene products and other essentials.
“I think it’s going to impact it,” she said, “because people are going to start being afraid.”
Last year, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, in partnership with 267 food pantries and hunger relief agencies, served more than 700,000 residents and visitors in Summit County. Across the state, the number of people served by related services swelled to more than 1.8 million.
Food insecurity impacts one out of seven people in Ohio.
John Sabolewski, of Broadview Heights, (right) works with Eric Shamp, of Greene, to sort canned goods at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KJF_Volunteering_Foodbank_11.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KJF_Volunteering_Foodbank_11.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1″ onerror=”if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === ‘function’) newspackHandleImageError(this);” src=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KJF_Volunteering_Foodbank_11.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1″ alt=”Two men – one wearing a blue long sleeve shirt and another wearing a dark green long sleeve shirt – work together to sort canned goods. In front of them is a cardboard bin filled to the brim with canned food items.” class=”wp-image-19752″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KJF_Volunteering_Foodbank_11.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KJF_Volunteering_Foodbank_11.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KJF_Volunteering_Foodbank_11.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KJF_Volunteering_Foodbank_11.jpg?resize=1200%2C801&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KJF_Volunteering_Foodbank_11.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KJF_Volunteering_Foodbank_11.jpg?resize=706%2C471&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KJF_Volunteering_Foodbank_11.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/KJF_Volunteering_Foodbank_11-1024×683.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”>
A drenched Akron Mayor Shammas Malik presents an equally drenched proclamation from the City of Akron to Gary Wyatt of the North Hill Community House. The proclamation acknowledged the role of volunteers in helping host the National Night Out event. (Doug Brown / Signal Akron)
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/drenched.jpg?fit=300%2C189&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/drenched.jpg?fit=780%2C491&ssl=1″ onerror=”if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === ‘function’) newspackHandleImageError(this);” src=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/drenched.jpg?resize=780%2C491&ssl=1″ alt=”A drenched Akron Mayor Shammas Malik presents an equally drenched proclamation from the City of Akron to Gary Wyatt of the North Hill Community House.” class=”wp-image-28701″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/drenched.jpg?resize=1024%2C644&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/drenched.jpg?resize=300%2C189&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/drenched.jpg?resize=768%2C483&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/drenched.jpg?resize=400%2C252&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/drenched.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/drenched-1024×644.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”>
The U.S. Department of Agriculture this year cut more than $1 billion in funding for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program — initiatives that gave schools and food banks money to buy food from local farms and ranchers.
These budget cuts were announced in March.
Dan Flowers, the CEO and president of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, said when budget cuts were initially announced, and since then, there has been no formal correspondence with the USDA, which is why, he said, his organization is dealing with “abstract” guidance.
USDA foods are generally the most nutritious proteins, vegetables, dairy, fruits, whole grains and others. “I would say we are approximately 30% down in USDA food availability in Summit County,” Flowers said.
At the North Hill Community House, food and other supplies the organization typically receives at a lower cost or free are being impacted by a rise in tariffs. Like other food pantries in Summit County, 100% of its supplies arrive from the food bank.
“It’s impacting us all the way around,” said Gary Wyatt, the organization’s co-founder.
Cuts are coming, despite need in some areas.
Marcia Campo, the food services manager at Open M, said her organization used to receive two to three calls a day about food distribution. Open M now receives as many as 10 daily calls.
“Everybody’s very concerned, but nobody knows exactly what is going to happen,” said Campo, whose organization distributed 1.1 million pounds of food last year to more than 75,000 people.
“The uncertainty is what is most frightening.”
Impact of federal cuts is broad
Haven of Rest Ministries offers food, shelter and programs to help individuals in need.
“We provide breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the year, and we’re averaging about 370 meals a day,” said Michael Solosky, the ministry’s development officer.
While Haven of Rest Ministries doesn’t receive donations from the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, it could still be impacted. If other food pantries run low on supplies, residents and visitors will turn to spaces such as Haven of Rest Ministries for assistance.
Good Neighbors, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency food and clothing, reports that federal cuts haven’t reached the organization, although they order supplies from the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. The organization also receives private donations from foundations, businesses and individuals.
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Every month, donors give to the facility. Good Neighbors also applies for a bevy of grants.
“We haven’t had any impact yet. Everything that we usually order, we’re still able to order,” said Debi Foss, the organization’s administrative assistant-treasurer.
Food supplies are organized at Good Neighbors, a nonprofit that provides emergency food and clothing across Akron. Last year, volunteers at the organization’s six locations gave 44,100 hours to assist approximately 19,000 families.
(London Green / Signal Akron)
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?fit=300%2C202&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?fit=780%2C526&ssl=1″ onerror=”if (typeof newspackHandleImageError === ‘function’) newspackHandleImageError(this);” src=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512-1024×690.jpeg?resize=780%2C526&ssl=1″ alt=”Good Neighbors” class=”wp-image-42823″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?resize=1024%2C690&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?resize=300%2C202&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?resize=768%2C518&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1036&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1381&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?resize=1200%2C809&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?resize=2000%2C1348&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?resize=780%2C526&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?resize=400%2C270&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512.jpeg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/signalakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_2905-scaled-e1747848311512-1024×690.jpeg?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”>
(London Green / Signal Akron)
How are food banks and pantries preparing in uncertainty?
While food banks and pantries can’t predict the fallout of federal cuts, they can prepare.
Open M’s Campo said her organization is doing its best to stockpile. Open M enjoys a partnership with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, local churches and stores such as Whole Foods, Target and Dollar General that helps keep shelves stocked.
“We’re constantly writing grants in order to fill that bucket, because we don’t know what’s going to happen,” Campo said.
Open M offers a three-day supply of food, from self-stable products and produce items to various proteins. Individuals may also receive personal hygiene products — including feminine supplies — pet food and infant items such as diapers and wipes.
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Meanwhile, the Akron-Canton Foodbank launched its Harvest for Hunger Campaign — its largest fundraising campaign. The North Hill Community House also started a campaign to raise money to continue assisting the community.
These leaders and others are urging supporters to reach out to elected officials and express support of Ohio food banks and pantries.
“We’ve been doing our best to try to talk to our elected officials, because the USDA cut isn’t the only one on the table right now,” Flowers said.
Wyatt, the North Hill Community House’s co-founder, empathizes with those who rely on food banks and panty services. He said services like his can’t just be pulled — they will always be a need.
“There’s going to be some people that can’t make it,” said Wyatt, who remembers his family using similar services when he grew up in the Akron neighborhood of Summit Lake in the 1970s.
“What I’m not gonna do is let us stop.”
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