As the year draws to a close the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank reports that it will have served more people in 2023 than any other year in their history with the agency anticipating that they will reach over 3 million visits to their pantries and other hunger relief partners by the end of the calendar year.

Speaking to News5 President and CEO of the foodbank Dan Flowers says there is an urgent need in our area as the problem of poverty and food insecurity increases, comparing the current situation to fighting a five-alarm fire with a bucket brigade. 

Flowers notes that as the need increases the foodbank is struggling to meet demand with Flowers saying, “What we're doing is distributing less food to more people. There are more people than ever coming into food pantries right now."

And as that demand grows Flowers is asking the community for their help whether that be through volunteering or donations, noting that for every dollar donated the foodbank is able to provide four meals for people in need. If interested in helping out you can visit akroncantonfoodbank.org for more information.