Newark Rotary continues its fight against hunger through food drives and by supporting local organizations such as the Newark Reds Food Pantry.
The Newark Reds Food Pantry, operated in partnership with Foodlink and overseen by Kim Howell, Community Schools Coordinator, provides an invaluable resource for students and families facing food insecurity. By embedding the pantry within the school environment, staff can better identify students in need and ensure that both their immediate and long-term nutritional needs are met.
On February 6th and 7th, 2025, Newark Rotary members joined forces with the Newark Reds Food Pantry for a special food distribution event, packaging, distributing, and delivering dozens of bags to families in need. The event ensured that 40 local families received enough food to sustain them over the winter break (Feb. 17-21), a time when school meals are unavailable.
Participating Rotarians included Jim Weiler (Rotary Club President), Chuck Waterman (President-Elect), David Hannan, Steve Hasseler, Frank All and Holly Kreuser, who worked alongside Kim Howell to assemble and distribute the food packages. Families were identified through the school district’s counseling offices, with assistance from SteadyWork of Wayne County to deliver food to those without transportation.
"It’s enough food to feed a family of four for two full days," said Howell, highlighting the importance of the initiative.
The Rotary Club of Newark is one of four sponsors supporting the Newark Reds Food Pantry, ensuring ongoing food assistance for students and families in need. Newark Rotary remains committed to addressing food insecurity and encourages community members to support these efforts through donations and volunteerism.
