Garrettsville – As an increasing number of area residents find themselves affected by the “Stay at Home” order in effect for Ohio, the Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard (NGCC) is seeing an increase in new clients seeking assistance due to food insecurity. In March the NGCC partnered with the James A. Garfield Local School District to provide over 6,000 additional meals to families qualifying for the Free or Reduced Lunch program – and are currently on track to meet or exceed those distributions for the month of April.
If your financial situation has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your children are enrolled at Garfield and you live in the JAG School District, please consider applying for free and reduced-price meals to take advantage of this opportunity.
You may apply online at http://jaglocal.schoollunchapp.com; download a paper form at www.jagschools.org or contact tknauer@jagschools.org to have a form mailed to your home.
COVID-19 Precautions at NGCC
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to affect our region, the health and safety of the community is our primary concern. Area foodbanks are taking action to protect the volunteers and the neighbors being served.
Upon arriving to the building all volunteers have their temperature checked and are provided with protective gloves and hand sanitizer. They may choose to wear face masks/covering at their discretion.
The NGCC has made adjustments to their upcoming distributions during the months of April and May. Clients will be asked to form a line in front of the building and remain in their vehicles. A volunteer will check you in at your car and assign you a number. You will receive pre-filled bags of groceries at the loading zone. Please note that we cannot accommodate special requests at this time.
For those clients who are amongst the high-risk group and are unable to leave their homes, our volunteers will bring your groceries to your home during this time on our normally scheduled distribution days. You must contact NGCC at 330-527-2011 to arrange for this service.
April’s hours of distribution are April 20 from 3 – 5:30 pm; April 15 & 29 from 9 am – noon.
Please bring current photo ID and proof of residency.
New Clients Welcome
The NGCC serves the needs of residents within the JAG School District. If your household is struggling with food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 closures, we can help you. Please bring current photo ID and proof of residency (a recent utility bill in your name) and we’ll enroll you at your vehicle.
It Takes A Community
The NGCC, JAG Schools, SkyLane Bowling and People Tree are working together to feed Garfield students and their families during the state-mandated school closure.
If you are able to, please support our mission to “shut the door on hunger” in our district by making a monetary donation on Facebook, or through PayPal. Your donation dollars go much further with the NGCC because of our partnership with the Akron-Canton regional food bank. Every $5 donation we receive pays for 20 meals for the families in need within our community.
If you would like to make a more immediate contribution of food and/or hygiene supplies, consider donating these locally available items:
Tuna, Beans of all kinds, Mac & Cheese, Ramen Noodle Soup, Spaghetti O’s, Wide Noodles, Canned Carrots, Canned Peas, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Dish Soap, Jello/Pudding, Tea, Canned Beef Stew, Canned Chili, Boxed Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes
Donations will be accepted at the Garrettsville YMCA/NGCC on Monday 20th (3pm-5:30pm) and April 15th & 29th (9am–12pm). When making a donation delivery, please pull into the parking lot on the church-side of the building. Do not block the distribution lane in front of the building.
