'One of the biggest blessings': Copley Outreach Center fills needs for area families

It's no secret that the past couple of years have been exceptionally difficult. A pandemic, supply chain issues, inflation and other trials have combined to strain the emotions and finances of families.

Jessica and her three children have been among those who have seen tough times.

"Our family has had some hardships with some health issues," she said.

In step the volunteers at Copley Outreach Center.

Since 1995, the Copley Outreach Center has strived to ease that strain for families in Copley and the Copley-Fairlawn school district facing hardship.

The center was recently one of 33 organizations awarded a total of $55,000 in grants through the Millennium Fund for Children, a partnership of the Akron Beacon Journal and the Akron Community Foundation. Since the Millennium Fund launched in 1999, it has distributed nearly $950,000 in grants to local groups that benefit children in the region.

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The Copley Outreach Center was founded by the Copley United Methodist Church and Guardian Angels Catholic Church. The center provides emergency food assistance to families in Copley Township and in the Copley-Fairlawn City School District.

Copley Outreach Center provides food assistance and seasonal gift cards from Acme, Aldi and Giant Eagle.

Since 2019, the center has run a cooperative effort between the community and the school district that gives out weekend bags of food to children who qualify for the free and reduced meal program in the schools. The Copley-Fairlawn Cares program provides a weekend bag to qualifying students, which includes food for two breakfasts, two lunches, two snacks and two drinks. Families also get food for meals and drinks for the week through the summer with the Summer Lunchbox Program.

"In 2021, we purchased $22,000 in food," said Maryann Henry, director of the Copley Outreach Center. "We usually spend around $20,000 a year, depending on food donations, etc. At this point, we've only spent about $15,000. We had a lot of donations, which has helped us out greatly."

The $1,000 Millennium Fund grant may go toward purchasing supplies such as bags and boxes, but a final decision hasn't been made yet, Henry said.

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Henry said the grant from the Millennium Fund will help provide invaluable assistance to Copley-area families.

"Because we are all volunteer-based, we don't get grants unless I write them, and we don't get government funding," Henry said. "This is really helpful. This will be absolutely wonderful. We will have a lot more money to support the program."

Henry said there was a marked increase in families needing assistance with the COVID-19 pandemic. Copley Outreach Center currently helps about 150 families.

"We picked up another 10 families in the past year," she said.

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'They really stepped up their game'

About 20% of children in Summit County are considered food insecure, and about 20% of the children enrolled in the Copley-Fairlawn schools, or about 560 students, receive free or reduced lunch, according to Copley Outreach Center.

That 20% includes Jessica's family.

"It's one of the biggest blessings our family has been able to receive," Jessica said. "With COVID, they really stepped up their game. Even one or two meals extra, it still goes a long way."

The Beacon Journal is not using Jessica's first name to protect the privacy of her children.

During the holidays, Jessica said the organization assists with items like a turkey or gift card, as well as larger meals.

"Also, if I can't pick it up, they will drop it off," she said.

In addition, Master Pizza in Fairlawn donates vouchers for a free large pizza and a free salad once a month, Jessica said.

But it's not just the food assistance that is so valued, Jessica said.

"(Maryann) doesn't just hand you a bag," she said. "She will talk with you and pray with you, and generally supports you."

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The program is not just for children, Jessica said.

"If you live in the community, you can go once a month and pick up food if you need it," she said. "If you need it, don't hesitate to reach out because that is what they are there for. Our community may be kind of small, but when everyone comes together, it's huge."

The Copley Outreach Center is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. It is at 1502 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road.

For details, call 330-665-3335, email copleyoutreach@gmail.com, or visit copleyoutreach.org.

Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Copley Outreach Center receives 2022 Millennium Fund grant