Katie Carver Reed is vice president at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. In her role, she is responsible for the Foodbank’s partnerships with nearly 600 hunger-relief programs, the Foodbank’s direct service programs, oversees government compliance related to food distribution, and leads strategy development and implementation for the organization.
She earned a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Leadership Studies from Baldwin-Wallace College. After serving as an intern for the Ohio Senate and Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Katie started her non-profit career at the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio where she focused on volunteer recruitment and community engagement. She is a recipient of the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce 30 for the Future Award, a Torchbearers alum, graduate of the Child and Family Leadership Exchange, and a member of Leadership Akron Class 37.
Katie lives in Highland Square with her husband, Kurt. She enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly bicycling on the Towpath Trail, traveling, and engaging with the region’s arts and culture activities.
The Rotary Club of Akron and the Akron Rotary Foundation have a longstanding commitment to the greater Akron community. Rotary is dedicated to causes that build relationships, improve lives, and create a better world—locally and globally.
The 2024 Grant Cycle is officially open! Grants between $1,000 and $15,000 will be considered via an application process which ends January 31, 2024. Projects must have an Akron Rotarian “sponsor” and must include direct volunteer service opportunities for Akron Rotarians. Akron Rotary doesn’t just write checks, we’re action oriented and live by the motto, “Service Above Self.”
ROTARIANS: Spread the word to impactful community service providers! Encourage them to apply by January 31, 2024, via the application link below. If you have questions, email
Our first volunteer opportunity with Second Chance Village was on Sunday Oct 5. Carol and Doug Hausknecht prepared some of the biscuits and gravy that were served. Cyndi Kane and Brandon Haverlick (volunteer friend of Rotary) joined in serving along with Ryan Scanlon and one of his board members.
The day was sunny and warm (for November anyway) so the tarps that were needed the previous week were not in use. Trauma survivors who have become unhoused or were recently unhoused are invited to the park at E. Market St. and Case Avenue for the hot meal and other supplies that Second Chance Village is able to supply. In addition to the usual socks, gloves and hats SCV had on hand such necessities as toilet paper rolls, Narcan, and even cotton swabs. It became obvious that first hand knowledge of needs was paramount in the selection.
That day maybe 2 dozen friends came to eat, gather a few things, sit and talk with each other, with the friends from SCV and with us. As we wrapped up leftover food was packaged as individual servings and Ryan went to where others stay and delivered the still warm meals. Not a crumb was wasted and all was appreciated.
On July 25th, 2023 Dr. Wes Fair, President and Jessica Purdy, Director of Development of Shelter Care, Inc. presented to our Club about the work that Shelter Care does in Summit County. Shelter Care, Inc. is a private non-profit agency that has served young people and families in crisis since 1972. Shelter Care has six distinct programs that together provide a continuum of residential and non-residential care including short-term crisis intervention, intermediate or respite care, long-term care en route to independent living, residential services for pregnant teens, outreach services, and outpatient counseling. Shelter Care's Mission Statement: To provide healing, restore hope and recognize the value of young people and families in need.
As part of our ongoing commitment to serving our community, Akron Rotary recently partnered with Shelter Care for a service project. On November 8th, 2023, Rotary members organized a special event to prepare cooked and ‘ready to bake’ meals for two of their youth programs (The Highlands and Shelter Home). Those meals were delivered the next day; lasagna -ready to bake- and salad to The Highlands as well as a fully stocked and ready to assemble taco bar to The Shelter Home.
We could not have done it without the teamwork and guidance from Shelter Care’s own Jessica Purdy, who followed up with this heartfelt message: “I wanted to thank you and the Akron Rotary Club for your kindness and generosity in preparing and delivering meals to the Highlands and Shelter Home programs last week. What a wonderful blessing! I haven't gotten to touch base with all those that received the meals yet but I heard that they smelled delicious (and I'm sure they tasted that way too!). We are so grateful for the time, effort and care that you all put into them.” The Akron Rotary Service Committee plans to have more of these events in the future, so stay tuned!
They were recognized for their years of service on events to raise funds for End Polio Now. They have hosted numerous events over the years at Progressive Field and other venues that have raised much needed funds and awareness. Stew and Cherie are amazing individuals and truly exemplify Service Above Self.
Photo L-R:
Frederick T. "Rory" McGuire, Grandson of Arch C. Klumph, Father of The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Club of Cleveland, Cherie Buchanan, Stew Buchanan, Kevin Kelly, CFRE, Regional Gifts Officer, Rotary International
What an exciting time to be an Akron Rotarian! The opportunities to serve are abundant! So are the needs of the community. Do you love to decorate for the holidays? Akron Rotary has once again adopted a Kenmore Boulevard storefront. We'll be decorating the window of 960 Kenmore Boulevard on Wednesday, November 29th from 2:00-4:30 pm.
The holiday celebration in Kenmore builds community spirit and promotes Kenmore businesses.
We need you and could use some more decorations! We're hoping for "Rotary" blue and gold decorations and any lighted display--you can donate or loan the items.
Akron Youth Mentorship K-3rd Grade Reading Program has started!
The State of Ohio has a 3rd Grade Reading Guarantee that ensures that students in grades K-3rd grade are provided with resources to get them to the appropriate reading level by the time they enter 4th grade and aren't falling behind. Akron Youth Mentorship's K-3rd Grade Reading Program puts a tutor in front of them to read books for one hour a week. This extra reading time gives our K-3rd grade mentees a little extra help making sure they are on track to meet state standards and be set up for success as they move into 4th grade.
Our club has committed to send 2 volunteers every Monday from 4:45pm-6:00pm.
Every week, 100 students at Innes Community Learning Center receive packs of non-perishable food on Fridays to ensure they have enough to eat over the weekend. The Feeding Kids Backpack Project is provided by Open M and is partially funded by a grant awarded by the Akron Rotary Foundation. Food insecurity negatively impacts a child's ability to learn and grow.
Rotarians pack food on Wednesday and deliver it to Innes on Thursday. The school distributes it to the children to take home on Fridays.
This service project is so needed that it has been extended to the end of the school year. Open M Volunteer Link
Thank you to these most recent volunteers who packed the bags!
This year Club members (and guests) will have the opportunity to participate in the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign on two different dates and locations.
Below are details regarding dates, times, and locations. You can sign-up online to participate in these events. We need two Rotarians (or guests) to cover each hour of the day(s) we will be at each location. We are also seeking substitutes.
This is a great opportunity to get in the holiday spirit and spend time with loved ones, friends, and the local community near North High School and in West Akron.
The Salvation Army Meets Human Need Wherever, Whenever, However We Can!
The donations we collect by our Bell Ringing efforts will be used to support hard-working families stay in their homes, and provide food, shelter, and utilities to those in need in your community.
Location: Mason CLC, 700 E. Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44306
The Well CDC's Akron Hope project provides year-round support to its neighborhood elementary school, Mason CLC. This project received grant funding from the Akron Rotary Foundation.
One of the ways Mason CLC is supported is through Akron Hope's annual Holidays of Hope outreach that spreads joy to Mason CLC students, teachers, and families during the Holiday season. This is done by providing every student (250+) with a new, wrapped gift that gets hand delivered by volunteers.
Akron Rotarians are invited to help wrap 500+ gifts at this December Service Project opportunity.
The Rotary Club of Akron and the Akron Rotary Foundation have a longstanding commitment to the greater Akron community. Rotary is dedicated to causes that build relationships, improve lives, and create a better world—locally and globally.
.jpg?_=638359663384296565)
If you are interested in serving on the Service Projects Committee, please contact Cyndi Kane: 
.png)
