Bringing food where it’s needed, Rural Relief food pantry serves Portage County’s food deserts

Jason and Rena Davis changed this vehicle from a daycare bus to the “Hope Machine.” They made it into a food pantry and drive it to their distribution areas. Asha Blake/The Portager.

Bringing food where it’s needed, Rural Relief food pantry serves Portage County’s food deserts

- Asha Blake

On a recent Saturday, a green school bus with the words “Food Pantry” on the front pulled into a lot on Deerfield Circle. 

Rena Davis emerged from the bus, filled with bags of groceries, as someone in a Nissan Maxima approached and popped the trunk. She greeted the visitor and Jason Davis, her husband, started filling the trunk with food.

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