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We believe it takes a village to end childhood hunger. That’s why our family is fighting this growing problem in our own communities in Portage, Stark and Summit counties. By working closely with school districts in the area and the counties at large, we can beat this epidemic. We each bring our own strengths to the fight against hunger. Read below to learn more about each of ours.
Ben Curtis started playing golf at the age of three in Ostrander, Ohio. His grandfather built the local golf course in town and his parents still work there today. Ben came to Kent in 1996 to play golf at Kent State University under renowned head coach Herb Page. He was a three-time All-American and graduated in 2000. This is also where he met his wife Candace. Playing golf has presented a lot of opportunities to Ben but starting the Ben Curtis Family Foundation has been the most fulfilling of them all.
Candace Curtis played golf at Kent State University, where she met her husband Ben and graduated in 2002. She is a mother of two high school students who attend the schools that the Ben Curtis Family Foundation serves. This gives Candace the opportunity to see, firsthand, the need for food to be sent home throughout the school year and over long weekends.
Candace manages the corporate direction and strategy for BCFF. She works to share our vision with the communities we serve as well as many neighboring communities. Awareness is key for support and she will talk to anyone who will listen about how they can help. She maintains relationships within local schools to aid in the success of our programs there, and oversees marketing and event planning.
Sara graduated from Kent State University in 2003 with a business degree. She is the mother of two high school-aged children in a school that the Ben Curtis Family Foundation serves. Sara handles the day-to-day operations of the foundation. She is also the liaison for all of our volunteers. She coordinates sign-ups for events and Birdie Bags, as well as all of our reports.
Diane, or “Gigi,” was born and raised in Kent. She is a mother of two and a grandmother of four. Diane worked in Kent City Schools for many years and witnessed the need for more to be done about food insecurity. Diane handles donations and accounting for the foundation. She makes sure that we maximize profits and that as much as possible goes back to the children we serve.
The heart of BCFF has always been family—built on people coming together for a common purpose. Every meal, every Birdie Bag, every smile is made possible by those who stand behind our mission. With new members joining our BCFF family, we are reaching more children across three counties and are stronger than ever in our fight to end childhood hunger.
Nicole graduated in May 2025 from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. She majored in Marketing with a concentration in Social Media Marketing and minored in Nonprofit Studies. She leads the organization’s marketing efforts, driving campaigns that strengthen brand awareness and maximize community impact. With expertise in social media strategy, Nicole ensures the foundation’s voice reaches and engages a broad audience. Beyond marketing, she plays an integral role in planning and executing fundraising events, helping to advance the organization’s mission and expand its reach.
Kristen graduated in December 2004 from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Education. She has been married to her college sweetheart for 20 years, and together they are raising four teenagers. As Donor Relations Coordinator, Kristen strengthens the foundation’s donor engagement efforts, cultivating relationships that expand the organization’s impact and mission. With a focus on strategy and connection, she ensures donors feel valued and invested in the foundation’s work. Beyond donor relations, Kristen plays an integral role in advancing initiatives that support growth and long-term sustainability.
The core mission of the Ben Curtis Family Foundation is fighting to help alleviate childhood hunger. Our Birdie Bag Program, a weekend feeding program for children, helps drive our mission and gives purpose to our why.
We hope you can join us for our 10th Annual Ben Curtis Golf Classic. Barrington Golf Club will be hosting us. We hope you can join us for a fun […]
