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The Geauga Hunger Task Force was established in 1977 to serve the emergency food needs of our county. This organization is a coalition of churches and social service agencies. It is completely dependent on the generosity of civic-minded individuals, agencies, and area businesses. There are seven neighborhood-based food pantries that distribute food throughout the county.
- Burton Congregational Church
- Chagrin Falls Park Community Center
- Christ Presbyterian Church (Chesterland)
- First United Methodist Church (Middlefield)
- Grace Lutheran Church (Thompson)
- Pilgrim Christian Church (Chardon)
- Newbury United Community Church
There are also two after-hours pantries through the Geauga County Department of Human Services and at WomenSafe. Volunteers from each of these pantries along with community leaders form the GHTF Executive Committee who defines the mission and policies. Residents in need of food use the Infoline Volunteer Center at 211 or 285-3194 and Copeline at 285-5665 to request assistance. The family may receive non-perishable food or vouchers to grocery stores for perishable items. A family may receive up to 14 days of food up to six times a year. In 2006, the GHTF has served 115 families a month. They must meet these needs despite the decline in government assistance and lowered community donations. The Geauga Hunger Task Force and this community thank you for your continued support.
The Good Tidings Benefit choir was formed 17 years ago to assist in funding the Hunger Task Force. Over the past 16 years, over to 500 community members of all ages have joined this Benefit through their voices or instrumental talents to raise over $70,000 through the goodwill offerings. Anyone High School age and/or over may join the choir. Practices start February 11th at Chardon Methodist at 1:30 pm – 4 pm (the site of an active food bank) and will follow each Sunday at Notre Dame Chapel on 13000 Auburn Road in Munson on from; 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. until the performance; Saturday March 17th at 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, March 18th at 3:00 at the same location. There will also be a dress rehearsal on March 16th at 7pm. The featured music will be the Easter selections from G. F. Handel’s “The Messiahâ€. Vocalists may bring your own music or copies will be available for sale for approx. $8 at the practices.
Handel's Messiah was chosen as the main selection because of its familiarity and origin. It was written as the music for a Benefit in Dublin Ireland in 1742 to raise money for the hungry and poor and its mission goes on today.
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