Flashes Fighting Hunger

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

Flashes Fighting Hunger at Kent State University 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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Weekly Food Pantries

Open to all members of the Kent State 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.

Flashes Fighting Hunger Directional Map

Weekly food distribution shifts are open to all members of the Kent State 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.

Spring 2024 Pantry Schedule (beginning January 5th):

Tuesdays (beginning January 9th)

  • Appointments from 3:00-5:30 p.m.
  • Walk-Ins from 5:30-6:00 p.m. 

Fridays (beginning January 5th)

  • Appointments from 3:00-5:30 p.m.
  • Walk-Ins from 5:30-6:00 p.m.

Appointments open one week prior to the desired date. Click here to schedule an appointment.

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 Kent State student and continue to experience food insecurity or have challenges meeting your basic needs, please contact the CARES Center at Kent State.

Mobile Food Pantry

The Mobile Food Pantry launched in the fall of 2021 thanks to the generous support of community donors and Kent State’s Culinary Services, who donated the box truck for food security efforts. The Mobile Pantry 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 pantry 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 Kent State 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
  • Co Bank
  • Haymaker Farmers’ Market
  • Hillel at Kent State
  • 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