In support of its longtime commitment to combat food insecurity, The J.M. Smucker Co. recently announced the donation of its Orrville retail facility to Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. This donation includes a 19,000-square-foot building, pollinator garden and over 30 acres of land. In addition, The J.M. Smucker Co. has partnered with Wayne County Community Foundation to establish a fund and committed $1 million to support our new and expanded services.
“The J.M. Smucker Co. is an amazing company with a tremendous family of brands that has been supportive of our food bank and food banks across the country for decades,” said Dan Flowers, food bank president and CEO. “This transformational donation is further evidence of their deep commitment to food security, and we look forward to digging into this exciting project with local partners.”
The food bank has been serving Wayne County for the past 30 years and plans to utilize the facility and property to deepen its impact within the county where more than 15,000 people may experience food insecurity. With an increased demand for food and government benefits and resources changes furthering pressure on the charitable food network, the need to think creatively and expand services for neighbors is more important than ever.
“We have always believed that success as an organization is thriving along with all those who count on our business, and that begins in our backyard here in Northeast Ohio,” said Mark Smucker, chief executive officer and chair of the board. “Our long-time partners at the food bank continue to do incredible work to help address food insecurity in our community, and we saw a unique opportunity to extend our support through this donation.”
In the coming months, the food bank will connect with Wayne County stakeholders through listening sessions, surveys, tours and one-on-one conversations to help shape the vision for the facility. The food bank is excited to partner with the community to determine an impactful model to continue to uplift and serve our neighbors well into the future.
