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SearchFunding is part of health system’s pledge to address hunger across its footprint
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The Akron‑Canton Regional Foodbank honored Cleveland Clinic today with its Guiding Partner Award, an honor recognizing corporate partners whose financial support and food donations help advance a shared vision of a community free from hunger.
Dan Flowers, President and CEO, Akron‑Canton Regional Foodbank, presented the award during a special program held in Akron General’s main lobby.
“We are deeply grateful for Cleveland Clinic’s ongoing support of our food bank and the neighbors we serve,” said Flowers. “Last year alone, they helped provide the equivalent of nearly 500,000 meals for this community. Their commitment reflects a shared belief that access to nourishing food is essential to a healthy, thriving community. Today’s pledge of future support not only strengthens our ability to meet current needs but also ensures we can continue building a more food-secure future together. We are proud to stand alongside partners who understand that caring for our community extends far beyond the walls of any one organization.”
Moments after accepting the award, Cleveland Clinic announced a new $3 million commitment to the foodbank. The funding will help significantly expand hunger relief services for families in Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina, Tuscarawas and surrounding counties.
“As an anchor institution, we have a duty to reinvest in the communities we serve,” said Vickie Johnson, Executive Vice President and Chief Community Officer, Cleveland Clinic. “This commitment reflects our belief that addressing hunger is essential to improving overall health and creating stronger communities."
Food insecurity remains a critical public health concern across Northeast Ohio. Feeding America estimates that one in seven residents within the Akron‑Canton Regional Foodbank’s service area lacks consistent access to nutritious food, including one in five children.
“When families lack access to nutritious food, it affects everything from chronic disease management to a child’s ability to grow, learn and thrive,” said Teri Lash‑Ritter, M.D., president of Cleveland Clinic’s South Submarket. “This investment underscores our commitment to caring for the whole person and partnering with the Akron‑Canton Regional Foodbank to support healthier futures for families across our region.”
Cleveland Clinic’s latest investment will help accelerate the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s impact on three priority areas:
This commitment builds on Cleveland Clinic’s ongoing efforts to address food insecurity through philanthropy and care‑based programs, including teaching kitchens, pediatric summer and weekend meal initiatives, food vouchers, grocery delivery, free produce from local farms, and Nourish food pantries for eligible patients, including one at Akron General.
Cleveland Clinic: Alana Wyche, 216.346.0363, wychea@ccf.org
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank: Raven Gayheart, 330.777.2317, rgayheart@acrfb.org
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation, Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 83,000 employees worldwide are more than 6,600 salaried physicians and researchers, and 21,900 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,725-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 300 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2025, there were 15.9 million outpatient encounters, 343,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 336,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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