SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) recently partnered with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and Summit County Public Health to provide food and infant formula to local families in need. JFS provided $100,000 in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funding to purchase the items. The partnership formed due to the ongoing threat of a federal government shutdown, which would affect local families participating in SCPH’s WIC program.
“We are always eager to partner with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to help residents who are struggling to put food on the table,” said County Executive Ilene Shapiro. “We were especially concerned about families with infants who may have encountered difficulties accessing critical items like formula. We appreciate Summit County Public Health working alongside us to make sure we could assist the families they serve.”
WIC is a nutrition education program that provides nutritious foods that promote good health for pregnant women, women who just had a baby, breastfeeding moms and infants and children up to age 5. At three events held in January and February, the partnership provided nearly 19,000 pounds of shelf stable food, fresh produce, and infant formula to 487 families.
“Hundreds of WIC families in Summit County rely on this funding to purchase nutritious food and infant formula. This program is vital to improving maternal and infant health, a critical issue in our community. We appreciate JFS and the Foodbank stepping up to make sure these families received the support they need,” said Health Commissioner Donna Skoda.
JFS and the Foodbank have a longstanding relationship in aiding and supporting those who need it most, and this collaboration aligned perfectly with the mission to help alleviate hunger and poverty in Summit County.
“Families continue to face challenges accessing food. Partnerships like this make a difference in the community and help families avoid having to make difficult choices between paying bills and buying groceries. We look forward to future collaborations with JFS, SCPH and other community organizations,” said Katie Carver Reed, vice president of the Foodbank.
