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Silver Lake council approves up to $2,500 donation to Akron‑Canton Regional Food Bank, backs community food drive
Summary
The Village of Silver Lake approved Ordinance No. 81 to donate up to $2,500 to the Akron‑Canton Regional Food Bank and endorsed a community food drive; the mayor said the village will supplement school programs and offer an online, confidential request form for residents in need.
Council President Matt Plesich and the Village Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 81 on Nov. 6, authorizing the mayor to donate up to $2,500 to the Akron‑Canton Regional Food Bank and to promote a community food drive to assist local households affected by a loss of SNAP benefits.
Mayor Dunphy told council members that at a recent meeting of area mayors a county representative, Brian Nelson, announced a $250,000 county donation to regional food banks. ‘‘Given the number of Village residents identified by the food bank as needing help,’’ the mayor said, the Village should both donate and run a drive. She proposed a Village contribution equal to $1 per resident — matching Cuyahoga Falls’ contribution — and said the Village has already received donated food, grocery gift cards and cash contributions.
The mayor outlined a confidential online form residents can use to request assistance; ‘‘the form collects only minimal information — name, contact number, number of adults and children, and dietary details — and all information will be kept confidential,’’ she said. The Village will coordinate distribution with Silver Lake Elementary and reach out to group homes to ensure need there is addressed. Donations collected at Acme on Bailey Road and at early‑voting locations will benefit both the Akron‑Canton Food Bank and Village residents directly. A final collection event was scheduled for the upcoming Saturday at the Acme store.
Councilmember Betsy Meyer asked whether the use of taxpayer funds for the donation was appropriate; Mayor Dunphy said it was, provided council approved it, and Council President Plesich said he had confirmed with Cuyahoga Falls officials and their auditor that such a municipal donation is a legal use of funds. The council voted 7–0 to suspend the rules and adopt the ordinance.
The police department reported roughly $300 in gift cards among nearly $1,200 in total cash and gift cards collected so far and encouraged participation through the Acme gift‑card promotion. The mayor said residents may also use the Village web form to request delivery if needed.
Next steps: the Village will publicize the web form and collection events, coordinate distribution with schools and group homes, and proceed under the adopted ordinance. The council set no additional appropriation beyond the adopted authorization (the ordinance limits the amount to $2,500).
