Our Services

We believe we are doing more than handing out groceries. When a visitor comes to us for a hand up, we meet them with a bag…a bag full of groceries, of course, but also with a small dash of hope that things will be better soon. Our smiles and our support are free, just like our groceries, to those in need.

Network of Food Pantries
We support over two-dozen food pantries across Stark County. These include pantries in Massillon, Canal Fulton, Beach City, Jackson Township, Perry Township, Canton, North Canton, Plain Township, Louisville, Alliance and Minerva. Pantry visitors are met by friendly volunteers who verify client eligibility and provide our critical food assistance to over 15,000 Stark County citizens each month.

For emergency food assistance, please call 2-1-1 for the pantry nearest you.

Backpacks for Kids Program
Children in several Stark County schools receive free or reduced lunch during the week. These same children, however, receive no assistance on the weekend. Our Backpacks for Kids program meets this need by partnering with three Canton City schools, one Plain Local school, and one Massillon City school. We operate all these programs on a weekly basis during the school year. A number of these programs also operate summer programs. Over one-thousand children weekly receive our nourishing weekend meals.

Senior Citizen Pantry Programs
Designed for senior citizens who cannot physically reach one of our other food pantries, we host four Senior Pantry programs — three in the city of Massillon and one in Downtown Canton. Through these programs, over two-hundred Seniors receive our food assistance once-a-month. Many of these Seniors utilize these programs to pay for necessary medications they otherwise could not afford.

Diabetic and Special Dietary Needs Pantry
Whether it be diabetic, high cholesterol or peanut allergies, to name a few, we have a diabetic and special dietary needs pantry ready to accommodate your needs. Please call us to learn more specifically about this program.

Mobile Pantry
While we support a network of pantries across all of Stark County, we realize there are areas underserved. This mobile pantry can be loaded with enough food for hundreds of our local individuals in need and our volunteers can distribute the food nearly anywhere the need presents itself. There is no regular schedule and service varies throughout the year.