My name is Shannon Fassnacht, and I am a senior at the University of Akron studying AYA Social Studies education. For my final project before student teaching, I will be taking informed action on the issue of food insecurity here in Akron. This issue is deeply personal to me, especially after seeing how political decisions can have real, painful consequences for families in our community. When world leaders use hunger as a bargaining tool, they overlook the reality: children skipping dinner, parents sacrificing their own meals for their kids, and seniors forced to choose between groceries and medication.

My passion for this project grew during the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history, when SNAP benefits became a political talking point. It angers me to see food used as leverage when millions rely on these benefits to feed their families. Food is not a weapon or a privilege—it’s a human right. Withholding SNAP funds disproportionately affects working families, children, and the elderly, making it even harder for them to access nutritious meals.

With your help, I’m partnering with the Ellet Hospitality program (as someone who graduated from the program myself!) to provide hot meals to those who need them most in Akron. Your support will help us purchase ingredients and serve our neighbors with dignity and care. As Dom Helder Camera said, “When I fed the poor, they called me a saint. When I asked why the poor are hungry, they called me a communist.” Together, we can show that our community stands united against hunger. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. Thank you for helping bring hope and nourishment to Akron.

If you have any questions, concerns, or know individuals who would benefit from a hot meal, please contact me at [email redacted] or through the information on GoFundMe. We will be boxing up these meals and dropping them off to shelters, group homes, and homeless individuals throughout the city.