Serving the community of Copley Township & the Copley-Fairlawn City Schools
HISTORY
What is the Copley Outreach Center?
The Copley Outreach Center was founded in June of 1995 by the Copley United Methodist Church and Guardian Angels Catholic Church. (It's official title is Copley United Methodist Church TA Copley Outreach). The Center provides emergency food assistance to families who find themselves food insecure in Copley Township and in the Copley-Fairlawn City School District. The Copley Outreach is privately funded and volunteer-driven.
COPLEY OUTREACH CENTER SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Monthly Food Assistance in perishable & non-perishable food items.
- Copley-Fairlawn Cares Program, provides weekend & weekly food assitance.
- Copley Share-A-Christmas:
- Families can sign-up at the Copley Township Townhall, if they have children 18 years or younger.
- Outreach Center for families with no children.
What is the Copley-FAIRLAWN BACKPACK PROGRAM?
Copley-Fairlawn BackPack Program is a volunteer initiative of the Copley Outreach Center that addresses food insecurity among children in the Copley-Fairlawn City Schools District. The program was launched in 2019 as a collaborative effort between the community and the schools, funded through donations from the greater Copley and Fairlawn areas, as well as the Copley Outreach Center.
- Through the Schools, students are identified and can opt into the program.
- The program provides weekend bags of food to students K-12, during the school year. A Food Pack contains 2 breakfast and 2 lunch items, plus 2 snacks for the weekend. The items are single serving size, easily opened and prepared, such as an oatmeal packet, mac & cheese, fruit cups, snack bars, etc.
The Summer Kids Program is an extension of the Copley-Fairlawn BackPack Program, providing weekly boxes of food for students to help supplement their families.
Hunger in Our Community
Food insecurity in America has reached its highest rate in over a decade, reaching over 47 million people facing hunger, including 14 million children. In the Foodbank’s eight-county service area, an estimated 1 in 7 individuals and nearly 20% of children struggle with hunger. While the community continues to face significant needs, funding cuts at both the federal and state levels are making it challenging for Food Assistance Programs to serve the area.
In Summit County
- Food Insecurity is Estimated: 13.6% or 7.,510 individuals and 20.3% or 22,710 children
- Food Assistance Impact: 15,319,314 lbs = 12,766,095 meals
In Our School System
- School Enrollment 2025: 2,722
- Students on free or reduced price lunch - 10.8%: Approx. 300 students
Food insecurity refers to the USDA’s measure of lack of regular access to nutritional food for an active and healthy life. Learn more about food insecurity.
- 44.3% of households visiting Ohio’s food banks have at least one member under 18
- 34.7% of households visiting Ohio’s food banks have at least one member over 60
- 38.1% of household visiting Ohio’s food banks include at least one disabled member
FACTS:
Food insecurity in Summit County and how it effects kids:
- Food insecurity refers to the USDA’s measure of lack of regular access to nutritional food for an active & healthy life.
- 2024 Food Insecurity Estimates in Summit Count: 13.6% or 7.,510 individuals and 20.3% or 22,710 children.
- Weekend food programs are designed to supplement the students’ educational process. The link between hunger and education is undeniable. Children who go hungry are more likely to exhibit higher levels of anxiety, which effects all-around school performance.
- Research has shown that children participating in weekend food programs achieve better test scores, have improved reading skills, positive behavior, and improved health and attendance.