Around Brimfield: Many ways to help feed your neighbors

“Every meal served, every hand extended, is a message: You matter, even when the world forgets. The united strength of a society is mirrored through the vulnerable community it feeds.” - Wayne Chirisa, Author

For over 45 years, the spirit of neighborliness has been alive and well in our community, as residents wholeheartedly lent support to the Brimfield Community Cupboard and created a legacy of caring for our own. The cupboard has an all-volunteer staff and is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Key to its success has been the generosity of the Brimfield Methodist Church, located at 1235 Tallmadge Rd., that donates dedicated space in the basement without charging for rent or utilities. Since 2019, pantry use has increased over 80% during its normal Tuesday, Thursday and once-a-month evening operating hours.

Much of the food comes from the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. In 2025, the cupboard received 239,290 pounds of food and 66,990 pounds of produce from the food bank and served 4,868 people. The cupboard paid a total of $30,588 for food valued at $332,575. The average cost per pound equals 13 cents.

One of the hardest items to source is meat, but the cupboard has been able to fill this gap as a beneficiary of a generous “Meijer Simply Give Double Match Day” program. Donations made on Double Match Days effectively are tripled. Those donations are then used to purchase meat for pantry families. There are two “Meijer Simply Give Double Match Day” events coming up on Saturday, March 7 and Saturday, March 21. Donations are made by purchasing Brimfield Community Cupboard donation cards located near the checkouts or at the service desk. Every dollar donated is doubled and added to the original donation. Monetary donations can also be dropped off at Brimfield Hometown Bank, and a volunteer from the food cupboard will buy donation cards with the money on a Double Match Saturday.

Enough good cannot be said about the dedicated all-volunteer staff, supportive township organizations and the numerous community members who donate time, money, food and other goods throughout the year. We can all take pride in our Brimfield Community Cupboard because we show that every Brimfield resident matters. We do not forget our own! Anyone interested in volunteering or donating can contact the cupboard at 330-510-1084.

TODAY, March 2, 2-5 p.m. – The Portage Recycling Center at 3588 Mogadore Rd. in Brimfield will hold its Household Hazardous Waste collection, held the first Monday of each month.

Acceptable materials include acids, adhesives, aerosol cans, fluorescent lights, fuel, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, household cleaners, mercury (in a jar, then double-bagged), oil-based paint, stains, thinners, pool chemicals and solvents. For questions, call the center at 330-678-8808.

Brimfield Township

Items of interest from February’s trustee meetings included:

• Approving $18,000 for the purchase, training and boarding of a new canine officer and approving the use of the township gazebo at no cost for Hometown Bank to sponsor a concert July 23 in the town square.
• The fire department is in the process of interviewing seven entry-level personnel applicants.
• Trustee Kevin Scott proposed applying for property tax exemptions on township-owned property that has been overlooked in the past, a savings of approximately $28,000. He also proposed reevaluation of contracts for trash disposal, mowing, cleaning services, propane delivery and Information Technology. His proposals are sure to save the township thousands of dollars.
• Trustee Nic Coia led a discussion regarding summer concerts, the community center, parks and rec programming, and sports field rentals and maintenance. A member of the Young at Heart Club urged the trustees not to consider selling the community center.
• Brimfield’s Touch-A-Truck event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 20.
• The trustees accepted a NOPEC Energized Community Grant for 2026 in the amount of $23,650.
• Trustee Sue Fields announced the May 9 annual Clean-Up Day event. Hot dogs and bottled water will be available free to attendees.

Trustee meetings will be held at Brimfield Town Hall at 1333 Tallmadge Rd. beginning at 7 p.m. the following dates: March 2 (TODAY), March 16, April 6 and April 20.

The trustees will be holding four public hearings TODAY, March 2, starting at 6:20 p.m.:

• 6:20 p.m. – to discuss amendments to Chapter 10, Definitions, to clarify the definition of building height and to create a new definition for eave.
• 6:30 p.m. – to discuss the creation of Appendix F, Lighting Standards.
• 6:40 p.m. – to discuss an amendment to Section 304.02(B) to remove #8, Planned Residential Developments, and to make the necessary updates to Appendices C and E to reflect the removal.
• 6:50 p.m. – to discuss an amendment to Section 400.10(B) to remove #51, Institutions for Human Medical Care, including, but not limited to, Hospitals, Clinics, Mental Health Care Facilities, and Nursing Homes. 

A zoning commission meeting will be held at Brimfield Town Hall beginning at 7 p.m. March 12.

Brimfield Historical Society

Upcoming events:

• March 15, 1-4 p.m. – Kelso House Museum open.
• April 4, 12, 18 & 26, 1-4 p.m. – Special exhibit - America 250 transportation theme in the Saxe House (green house on state Route 43). There will be photos and information on Thorndike Station and Boosinger Coal and Supply Store, along with a model train display
• April 21, 4-5 p.m. – BHS special exhibit open. There will also be an exhibit and presentation titled “Steel Rails, Small Town” at the Brimfield Library.

Young at Heart Club

Upcoming events:

• March 6, 1-5 p.m. – Fraud Prevention presented by Hometown Bank at Ravenna Elks Lodge, 776 N. Freedom St., Ravenna. Registration required at ht.bank/fraudscout.
• March 9, 10 a.m. – Breakfast at Mike’s Plac
• March 13, noon – Bag lunch at Brimfield Community Center, 4538 Edson Rd. Bring your lunch and a drink. Friends are welcome.
• March 23, 10 a.m. – Breakfast at Mike’s Place

German Family Society - 3871 Ranfield Rd., Brimfield

Upcoming events:

March 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Fish Fry Fundraiser – adult dinners - $16.50, children 12 and under - $7, adult mac & cheese dinner - $8, child mac & cheese dinner - $5, pastries - $3.March 28, 5:30 p.m. – Country Western Dinner and Dance – reservations required. Call or text Diane at 330-309-9486.

Brimfield Branch Library

Sensory kits are available at the Brimfield Branch Library and are designed to assist children with sensory processing disorders. Each kit aids a different facet of sensory processing and includes a handout that explains the function of each item in the kit, as well as recommended reads. Funding for the sensory kits was provided by The Portage Foundation. These kits are available to check out at Aurora, Brimfield, Garrettsville & Streetsboro library branches, but are available to place a hold and return at all six library branches and the bookmobile. Due to small parts and pieces, it is recommended that the sensory kits are used for ages 3+. To check for the availability and/or place a hold on a sensory kit, visit their catalog page at https://events.portagelibrary.org/sensory17432.

Upcoming programs:

• March 3, 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Yoga with Judith - Beginner's Yoga for adults. Bring a mat, water and comfortable clothing. Limited to 15 participants.
• March 4, 1-3 p.m. – Ohio Means Jobs – Need help with your job search? Schedule a free appointment with an Ohio Means Jobs career counselor! Get support with resumes, cover letters, interview tips and building an effective search strategy. Adults.
• March 4, 1-3 p.m. – Homeschool Group Board Games – For families with children of all ages. Limited to 30 participants.
• March 7, 10:30-11 a.m. – Spring Storytime – Stories, songs, crafts. Ages 5 and under.
• March 9, 12:30-1:30 p.m. – Lego Free-build (STEAM) - Whether you’re a master builder or just starting out, there’s room for everyone to have fun and show off their creativity! Limited to 10 participants. For children/tweens.
• March 9, 5-6 p.m. – Lego Free-build (STEAM) - Whether you’re a master builder or just starting out, there’s room for everyone to have fun and show off their creativity! Limited to 10 participants. For children/tweens.
• March 10, 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Brimfield Book Club – “Circe” by Madeline Miller. Book discussion for adults.
• March 11, 10:30-11 a.m. – Baby & Me Storytime – Discover new books together. Sing, laugh and have fun!
• March 11, 1-3 p.m. – Ohio Means Jobs – Need help with your job search? Schedule a free appointment with an Ohio Means Jobs career counselor! Get support with resumes, cover letters, interview tips and building an effective search strategy. Adults.
• March 13, 10:30-11 a.m. – Spring Storytime – Stories, songs, crafts. Ages 5 and under.
• March 14, noon-2 p.m. – Learn to Paint Miniatures - Learn the tricks of model making and painting miniature figures. Adults.
• March 17, 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Genealogy with Roger Marble - Get ready to start your journey of tracing your family’s roots efficiently. Adults.
• March 18, 1-3 p.m. – Ohio Means Jobs – Need help with your job search? Schedule a free appointment with an Ohio Means Jobs career counselor! Get support with resumes, cover letters, interview tips and building an effective search strategy. Adults.
• March 20, 4:45-5:45 p.m. – Bingo! – Friendly competition and prizes. Adults.
• March 21, 10:30-11 a.m. – Spring Storytime – Stories, songs, crafts. Ages 5 and under.
• March 23, 12:30-2 p.m. – Learn to Crochet an Amigurumi Cat – Step-by-step tutorial. Limited to six participants. Ages 8+. Be sure to attend every class.
• March 24, 12:30-2 p.m. – Learn to Crochet an Amigurumi Cat – Step-by-step tutorial. Limited to six participants. Ages 8+. Be sure to attend every class.
• March 25, 12:30-2 p.m. – Learn to Crochet an Amigurumi Cat – Step-by-step tutorial. Limited to six participants. Ages 8+. Be sure to attend every class.
• March 25, 1-3 p.m. – Ohio Means Jobs – Need help with your job search? Schedule a free appointment with an Ohio Means Jobs career counselor! Get support with resumes, cover letters, interview tips and building an effective search strategy. Adults.
• March 26, 12:30-2 p.m. – Learn to Crochet an Amigurumi Cat – Step-by-step tutorial. Limited to six participants. Ages 8+. Be sure to attend every class.
• March 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Timeless Memories Scrapbooking - All-day scrapbooking event. Limited to eight participants.
• March 31, 4-6:45 p.m. – Dungeons and Dragons with Dave - Learn D&D. Explore dungeons, fight monsters, solve puzzles and complete quests! Limited to eight participants.

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Final thought: “You pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. That’s how prayer works.” — Pope Francis

Until next time! Got news? Share it by contacting Shirley Mars at 330-673-0241 or at mars@ohiomars.com.