United Relief
United Relief
Podcast Description
In Portage County, Ohio—like so many places across the country—food insecurity isn’t just a statistic, it’s a lived reality. This podcast follows two brothers as they return home to uncover the complex web of causes, challenges, and grassroots solutions shaping the fight against hunger in their community.
Through intimate interviews and on-the-ground reporting, we explore the local food ecosystem—from county officials and food bank leaders to rural mutual aid groups and policy influencers. Along the way, we ask: What does it really take to make sure everyone in our community eats?
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers around themes of food insecurity, grassroots solutions, and community resilience, with episodes exploring diverse topics such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food access, local initiatives like community gardens, and practical steps for involvement in hunger relief efforts.
In Portage County, Ohio—like so many places across the country—food insecurity isn’t just a statistic, it’s a lived reality. This podcast follows two brothers as they return home to uncover the complex web of causes, challenges, and grassroots solutions shaping the fight against hunger in their community.
Through intimate interviews and on-the-ground reporting, we explore the local food ecosystem—from county officials and food bank leaders to rural mutual aid groups and policy influencers. Along the way, we ask: What does it really take to make sure everyone in our community eats?
What now? From a county treasurer’s “Hunger Run” to co-ops and community gardens, from civic focus to shared goals—how ordinary neighbors can move a county toward no child hungry.
You’ll hear from:
- John Kennedy
- Sabrina Christian-Bennett
- Ben Wolford, Publisher of The Portager
- Ben and Patrick Childers, co-founder Odd Conduit Media
In this episode:
- Why focus matters: align orgs and volunteers on a single north star—no child hungry in Portage County—and measure every effort against it.
- What stuck from COVID (drive-through access) and what didn’t (emergency dollars)—and why stigma still shapes the user experience.
- A hard update: Rural Relief’s closure (funding + health) and what that signals about fragility at the last mile.
- Practical on-ramps: join a local board, keep 211 listings accurate, start/expand a garden plot, organize quarterly cross-org huddles.
Resources mentioned:
- Hunger Network
- Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
- United Way Portage County
- 211 (call or 211.org) for local services
- Feeding America
Credits:
Reporting/hosting by Ben & Patrick Childers. Editing/mix/master by Patrick. Fact-check by Dash Lewis. Story edit by Jenna Marson. Artwork by Miggs Sonny. Original music by L.T. Headtrip.
Mentioned in this episode:
Neighbors In Need: Portage County Emergency Support Drive
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