Akron/Canton Regional Foodbank

Colleen Benson believes in the power of community. She first got involved with the Akron/Canton Regional Foodbank through its largest community campaign, Harvest for Hunger. In 2010, she joined the
Foodbank’s team as a grant writer and led a variety of fundraising and advocacy initiatives. She led the Foodbank’s Growing for Good Campaign, facilitating an investment of $17.5 million in the regional capacity of the Foodbank, and was instrumental in the organization’s strategic planning efforts. She is responsible for the oversite of corporate and volunteer engagement, direct mail and individual and institutional giving. Prior to her work at the Foodbank, she managed the Newspaper in Education program of the Akron Beacon Journal and led community engagement of young citizens in community affairs. 
 
She has served as chair of the Summit County Emergency Food and Shelter Program, was a member of Class XXI of the Summit County Child Camp; Family Leadership Exchange, and a member of Leadership Akron Class 40.  Colleen lives in Medina with her husband, Joel and son, Van. Together, they enjoy
traveling and the great outdoors.