KENT — As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring numerous challenges to peoples’ lives, many area residents on Saturday benefited from a food distribution event conducted by local elected officials and candidates.
The Portage Cares group passed out food in the parking lot of the Kent Social Services building on Water Street.
Portage County Common Pleas Court Judge Laurie Pittman formed the group in the spring to distribute food to people in the county. The organization primarily consists of Democrat elected officials and candidates, but Pittman, who is a Democrat, said Republicans and Independents have also taken part. Several distribution events have occurred since May.
Greg Johnson, the Democratic candidate for Portage County Sheriff, said he is participating because “there’s a need in the county. It gives you a good opportunity to get out and meet people.”
The event started at 9 a.m., but Johnson noted four cars were there to pick up food at 7:45 a.m. when he arrived to set up. All the food was distributed by 10. Food was loaded in 40 to 45 cars.
Pittman said a woman who is raising her grandchildren told volunteers the supplies she was receiving would “have to last two to three weeks.” After hearing that, Pittman said they provided the family with a “big portion.”
At-Large Ravenna City Council member Amy Michael said she felt the COVID-19 pandemic had increased the amount of people who needed assistance.
“It’s everywhere,” she said. “People hide in different corners. I’m excited that people come out and accept the help. Nobody should feel ashamed.”
Eleventh District Court of Appeals Judge Mary Jane Trapp added “what broke my heart” is that people “apologize” for seeking help.
Pittman recalled that a man at a previous event was “embarrassed” to come forward and volunteers encouraged him to accept the food. At the distribution in Randolph, Pittman said there were “many elderly people who came through.” Seeing that, she said, was “kind of a gut punch.”
Mike Noble, an Independent candidate for Portage County Common Pleas Court, said he’s attended all the events and has enjoyed helping people in need.
An organization called Sock It To Me provided socks along with the food items that were handed out. There was fresh produce provided by the Trumbull Correctional Institution that the agency grows on its farm property.
Pittman said she is planning to have the next distribution on Aug. 22 in Brady Lake.
How the effort began
Pittman works with a group called Children Always Resisting Enemies, based out of the Skeels-Mathews Community Center in Ravenna. She noted she and couple other judges help pay for the children in the group to go on a summer trip and an outing during spring break. Since the COVID-19 pandemic canceled in-person activities, Pittman said she asked the group leader for suggestions on what could be done instead. She said when she was told families needed food, “that just hit me like a dagger.”
Pittman noted about 25 families received food at the first distribution event at Skeels-Mathews Community Center in May.
Pittman said when she formed the group and reached out to her contacts on social media about volunteering for food distributions, many came forward. Other events have occurred in Windham, Randolph, Ravenna Township and at Southeast High School. Pittman said she asks each volunteer to purchase enough food to feed a family of four for a week. Anywhere from 35 to 45 elected officials and candidates have participated in each food distribution, including the one on Saturday.
Reporter Phil Keren can be reached at 330-541-9421, [email protected], or on Twitter at @keren_phil.
