September is Hunger Action Awareness Month, a time to recognize that food insecurity remains a reality for many of the children and families we serve at Akron Children’s.
Across Ohio, families continue to face difficult choices between paying for food, utilities, housing and transportation. The 2026 Hunger Study found that 65% of Ohio households with children had to choose between paying for utilities or buying food within the previous year.
At Akron Children’s, we see firsthand how food insecurity affects our patient families who walk through our doors. Some families are navigating rising grocery costs. Others have experienced changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, transportation barriers or the strain of caring for a child with complex medical needs. One parent shared, “The cost of food keeps rising, and we are struggling to afford food. Visiting the Food Farmacy while here for monthly appointments has become a necessity for us.”
About the Food Farmacy
The Food Farmacy within the External Affairs department exists because food access is critical to healthcare. Families cannot focus on managing asthma, recovering from surgery, attending therapy appointments or caring for a medically complex child if they do not have reliable access to food at home. The Food Farmacy serves income-eligible patient families, who are on-site at either the Beeghly or Golisano campus for outpatient appointments, as well as Akron Children’s employees.
As a client-choice pantry, families can select foods that fit their household’s preferences, dietary needs and cultural traditions rather than receiving a prepacked box. From chicken nuggets and cheese sticks to chana dal and spices, the Food Farmacy helps families prepare meals they know and love.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, foundations, community partners and Akron Children’s supporters, the Food Farmacy can provide items to families when they need them most. Financial contributions made through the Akron Children’s Foundation help supplement food inventory, purchase culturally-specific foods and hygiene items, and ensure families continue to have access to a reliable source of support. That generosity has made a significant impact in 2026 alone.
George Wallace, food pantry coordinator on the Beeghly campus.
Helping families in need
During the first eight months of the year, the Food Farmacy locations at the Golisano and Beeghly campuses served more than 8,600 households, reaching nearly 42,000 individuals, including more than 23,000 children. Together, the two locations distributed more than 218,000 pounds of food, providing the equivalent of more than 181,000 meals.
The Food Farmacy operates daily with the help of dedicated volunteers and strong community partnerships. The Golisano campus receives food through the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, while the Beeghly campus partners with Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley as its primary food sources.
Food Farmacy hours
The Golisano campus Food Farmacy is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m., closing daily from 12-12:30 p.m. for lunch and Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. during food bank deliveries. The Beeghly campus Food Farmacy is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m., closing daily from 12-12:30 p.m. for lunch.
Donations are always appreciated. Community members who would like to support the Food Farmacy can make a financial contribution through the Akron Children’s Foundation or donate much-needed hygiene items through our Amazon Wish Lists. Because of food safety, storage and inventory requirements, the Food Farmacy does not accept direct food donations. Individuals interested in donating food are encouraged to support their local food bank, whose partnership helps keep our shelves stocked for patient families and employees.
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