AKRON, Ohio — A local church will be helping to create A Better Land in Akron just days before Thanksgiving.
Many people in Northeast Ohio are wondering how they’re going to put a meal on the table for their family while saving up for holiday shopping.
People all over Summit County will be lining up early at The Word Church in Akron to grab a free turkey and a free tank of gas.
The holidays are a time for food and family, but all that quality time comes at a steep cost.
The average household income is approximately $53,000 and statistics show more than 15 percent of the population there struggles with access to food.
Nearly 23,000 people wondering where their next meal will come from are children.
That’s why folks at The Word Church say they are taking care of the essentials this year.
“Hey, when it comes to the holiday season, we just want to take a little bit of the pressure off for you,” Deante Lavender said. “Maybe that 20 dollars we put into your tank can go toward some stuffing, or maybe they can give it to their kid and start buying Christmas toys.”
The turkey and gas giveaway kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday at The Word Church – Akron located at 1700 Brittain Road.
Church leaders advise arriving early.
“We’re planning on giving away a few thousand dollars worth of gas and a couple hundred turkeys, pretty much to anyone who shows up,” Lavender said, “First come, first serve.”
