As an engaged supporter of the Ben Curtis Family Foundation, you already know that our mission is to alleviate food insecurity in Northeast Ohio. But did you know that September is Hunger Awareness Month? Thanks to the generosity of Josh and Erika Schoenberger, we are launching a donation-matching campaign this month to help more local families in need. They have agreed to match $10,000 in donations for a total of $20,000 to support the Foundation’s efforts.
That startling statistic drives our fight against food insecurity and other issues the children and families we serve face. No child should worry where their next meal is coming from, that is why our team does whatever we can to provide Birdie Bags all year as we make the holidays special for the children and families we serve.
Since the pandemic, the need for additional support has grown. We are currently partnering with 12 school districts, including Akron Public Schools, Alliance, Barberton , Cuyahoga Falls, Kent, Ravenna, Rootstown, Southeast, Streetsboro, Waterloo, Windham, and Woodridge. Each month, 5,500 Birdie Bags, containing a mix of easy-to-prepare meals, snacks, and toiletries, are distributed across these schools. In 2021, we provided over 60,000 bags to those in need – a 21% increase bags distributed compared to 2020. This need will be even greater since we’ve added more school districts in the past year.
We are grateful for supporters like Josh and Erika Schoenberger who understand our mission and want to take it further. They first became involved with the Ben Curtis Family Foundation in 2019 when they participated in the Rough Rider Run. As huge advocates of the Kent community, the Schoenbergers were eager to do more with the Foundation. The couple reached out and expressed their desire to lead a donation-matching campaign to help the rising need. Josh and Erika committed to kickstart the campaign and match all donations during the month of September up to $10,000.
Please join Josh and Erika today with a contribution to our donation-matching campaign. Every donation helps us in our fight to end childhood hunger in our own communities.
Donating online is easy, safe and secure. Just click the button below to complete the donation form. Every dollar you give will be matched.