From the publisher: New podcast series reveals hunger problem in Portage County
- Ben Wolford
Six-hour bread lines. A person digs through the garbage. A 75-year-old Army veteran wonders aloud: “What the hell am I going to eat?”
help
Restoration of VANTAGE employment funding a relief for local nonprofits
- Wendy DiAlesandro
The loss of a single employee can make a huge difference. So when a handful of federally subsidized employees returned to their workplaces Oct. 6, their bosses indulged in a collective sigh of relief.
New charity forms to support Aurora Food Pantry
- Lauren Cohen
The Aurora VFW Post 2629 and the Knights of Columbus Council 14186 have been purchasing food for the Aurora Food Pantry for several years, donating over $36,000 of perishable food yearly as one of their community projects. But the need for assistance is growing.
PUCO issues reconnect order so customers won’t lose gas, electric during winter
- Wendy DiAlesandro
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on Sept.18 issued a Special Reconnect Order ensuring that people served by PUCO-regulated utilities won’t have their gas or electric service cut from Oct. 13, 2025, through April 15, 2026.
Shower, laundry program restarting at Axess Family Services
- Wendy DiAlesandro
Starting this week, Axess Family Services is resurrecting a hygiene program that was one of many shuttered during the Covid era.
Federal funding delay hits Portage County families in need of food and shelter
- Wendy DiAlesandro
A FEMA program that has provided emergency food and shelter for over four decades has not released funding under the Trump administration, leaving local aid organizations to increasingly rely on local donors — if they can be found.
Portage Foundation creates LGBTQ+ Fund after new law shuts down higher ed support
- Margaret Lennox
The Portage Foundation is offering financial resources to the county’s LGBT community through a fund created after a new law forced campuses to close centers devoted to scholarships and emergency assistance.
New jail transport program has already helped 173 people
- Wendy DiAlesandro
In the first six months of a new Portage County Jail transportation program, 173 people recently released from the jail have taken advantage of free rides to a PARTA hub, personally accompanied by a social worker offering help with employment and housing.
Kent Council to consider increasing Shepherd’s House warming center support
- Wendy DiAlesandro
Kent City Council is poised to increase its contribution to Shepherd’s House by $4,000, bringing the city’s yearly contribution to $12,000.
Portage County food pantries face shortages because of federal cuts
- Wendy DiAlesandro
Portage County’s food pantries and programs are among the first local victims of federal funding cuts, and the state is poised to compound the blow.
Kent Hotel will serve 75 free lunches for Kent Social Services
- Wendy DiAlesandro
Kent Social Services’ usual staff of cooks and servers will make way March 20 for the leadership team of the Kent State University Hotel & Conference Center, aka The Kent Hotel.
Axess Family Services and Children’s Advantage announce merger
- Wendy DiAlesandro
Axess Family Services and Children’s Advantage on Feb. 19 announced that the two nonprofits are merging.
The warming center at Shepherd’s House is now open and seeking volunteers
- Wendy DiAlesandro
The Shepherd’s House warming center will be open until further notice. The shelter opens at 4 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. People are encouraged to arrive before the shelter’s 8 p.m. curfew.
How Kent leaders and local organizations are meeting the need for warmth
- Wendy DiAlesandro
Even though Kent is the county’s most populous city — the U.S. Census estimates 27,601 people, about 25% of whom live in poverty — Kent does not have an overnight warming center.
Juvenile diversion programs are helping more kids stay out of the courts this year
- Wendy DiAlesandro
Late October 2024. A 13-year-old girl sits in the office at Brown Middle School. It’s not the first time she’s mouthed off one too many times, but this time the adults seem different. This time the consequences seem real.
Senior Life: Dealing with the chill, heating the home and getting groceries this winter
- Sally Kelly
Hopefully you have stayed warm and safe this January. It has really been a trip back to the “old winters” we used to have.
Recent dog rescue highlights work of Portage County Water Rescue Team
- Jeremy Brown
A dog named Emma found herself on thin ice shortly after Christmas – right before the ice shattered below her, sending her into the freezing water of a local pond.
Mental Health & Recovery Board receives $1.3 million grant
- Tom Hardesty
The Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County received $1,365,871 to invest in local treatment, prevention and recovery support to advance ongoing efforts to fight substance abuse and prevent overdose deaths.