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Flashes Fighting Hunger

A cartoon of Flash holding a box of food drive items.

Flashes Fighting Hunger at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is a student-powered and volunteer-driven organization dedicated to reducing food waste and promoting food security.

Utilizing recovered food, shared kitchen space in Tri-Towers, and volunteers who want to make a difference, Flashes Fighting Hunger is able to host multiple food distribution events on-campus each week. It also is able to prepare 250+ nutritious meals for those struggling with food insecurity. The organization also collaborates with the Center for Nutrition Outreach at Kent to provide fresh food for the Mighty Pack program and has a weekly presence at the Haymaker Farmers’ Market.

 

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Volunteer With Us!


Weekly Food Distributions

Open to all members of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and surrounding community:

Tri Towers Rotunda 1475 Leebrick Dr. You’ll find us at the door of the intersection of Leebrick Dr. and Senhauser Dr., behind the PARTA bus stop. If arriving by vehicle, please only park in the nearby S-37 lots marked in the photo. Parking in the R-6 lot will lead to your receiving a parking ticket that will not be waived.

Flashes Fighting Hunger Directional Map

Weekly food distribution shifts are open to all members of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and surrounding community. Although we have a basic intake process for first time users consisting of requesting basic information (name, date of birth, address and telephone number if applicable), no proof of income or residency is ever required.

Holiday Food Distribution Schedule and Spring 2025 Update:

Tuesday, December 17th, 2024:

  • Appointments from 3:00-5:15 p.m.
  • Walk-Ins from 5:15-6:00 p.m. 

Friday, December 20th, 2024:

  • Appointments from 3:00-5:15 p.m.
  • Walk-Ins from 5:15-6:00 p.m.

There will be no distribution on Tuesday, December 24th, 2024. 

Thursday, December 26th, 2024 (note the change from Friday):

  • Appointments from 3:00-5:15 p.m.
  • Walk-Ins from 5:15-6:00 p.m.

There will be no distribution on Friday, December 27th, 2024.

Tuesday, December 31st, 2024:

  • Appointments from 3:00-5:15 p.m.
  • Walk-Ins from 5:15-6:00 p.m.

Friday, January 3rd, 2025:

  • Appointments from 3:00-5:15 p.m.
  • Walk-Ins from 5:15-6:00 p.m.

Spring 2025 Update: Please be advised that beginning Tuesday, January 14th and through the Spring Semester, the weekly Tuesday food distribution hours will move from 3:00-6:00 p.m. to 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday distribution times will remain at 3:00-6:00 p.m. 

Appointments open one week prior to the desired date. .

If you must cancel after making your appointment, please click on the "reschedule" link in the email confirmation you receive. This will allow you to cancel your appointment at your convenience.

If you are a current ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø student and continue to experience food insecurity or have challenges meeting your basic needs, please contact the CARES Center at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.

Mobile Food Distribution

The Mobile Food Distribution launched in the fall of 2021 thanks to the generous support of community donors and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s Culinary Services, who donated the box truck for food security efforts. The Mobile Food Distribution will expand food access to pockets of the Portage County community that face challenges to utilizing current resources such as lack of transportation or residing in food deserts. Any person or organization interested in hosting a pop-up distribution with our mobile unit should email community@kent.edu to inquire.

Drive-thru Food Distribution

Graphic giving details for the Drive-thru Food Distribution The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Drive-thru Food Distribution is every third Wednesday of the month from 1-3 PM in the parking lot of Dix Stadium. Each month Flashes Fighting Hunger partners with the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank to provide a large-scale food distribution for all members of the community. Anyone is welcome to receive boxes of supplemental groceries and no proof of income or residency is necessary. The food distribution is contactless and volunteers will place food items in vehicles.

Community Resources

24-hour Crisis Help

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
  • Suicide & Crisis Hotline 988
  • Crisis Text Line 741-741
  • Sexual Abuse National Network 800-656-4673
  • Safer Futures 330-673-2500
  • Mental Health & Recovery Board 330-678-HELP
  • 211 330-297-4636
  • Portage Path 330-434-9144

Clothing

  • Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center 330-296-0503
  • Goodwill 330-677-5402
  • Family & Community Services 330-297-7027

Food

  • Flashes Fighting Hunger at KSU 330-672-7876
  • Center of Hope 333-297-5454
  • Kent Social Services 330-673-6963
  • Portage County WIC 330-297-9422
  • Trinity Lutheran Church 330-673-5445
  • The Women’s Center at KSU 330-672-9230
  • Brimfield Community Cupboard 330-510-1084

Health Services

  • Coleman Professional Services 330-673-1347
  • Planned Parenthood 330-678-8011
  • AxessPointe Community Health 330-673-1016

Housing

  • Coleman Rental Management 330-673-1347
  • Housing & Emergency Support 330-296-1111
  • Miller Community House 330-673-0034
  • Community Action Council of Portage County 330-297-1456

Legal Assistance

  • Community Legal Aid Services 330-297-1569
  • Portage County Child Enforcement Support Agency 330-297-3791

Peer Support

  • Alcoholics Anonymous 330-678-3006
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness 330-673-1756 ext.230

Transportation

  • PARTA 330-676-6701
    Porter’s Taxi 330-328-9029
  • Emerald Transportation 330-673-7475

Partners

Thanks to the generous support of local food donors and volunteers, thousands of students, faculty, staff and community members benefit from the Flashes Fighting Hunger program each year.

Donors:

  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
  • Haymaker Farmers’ Market
  • Hillel at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø
  • Meijer
  • Portage Community Foundation
  • Trader Joes
  • United Christian Ministries
  • Countless individuals and KSU groups throughout the community!

Benefactors:

  • Center of Hope
  • Kent Social Services
  • Kentway Apartments
  • Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority
  • Trinity Lutheran Church
  • Upper Room Ministries 

2023 Stats

152,223
Pounds of Food Recovered
150+
Meals Per Week Made by Volunteers
909
Families Served from Food Pantries