Food pantry getting addition

WAKEMAN — Wakeman Caring Community, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting food insecurity, is inviting the public to celebrate the grand opening of its newly expanded food pantry space. The ribbon cutting will take place during the group's annual meatloaf dinner fundraiser on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church Parish Hall, 46 E. Main Street, Wakeman. The new 800-square-foot addition to the Parish Hall triples the amount of space available for food storage and operations, greatly increasing the organization's ability to serve over 100 local residents each month. Guests at the event can enjoy a meal catered by Sterk's Restaurant, featuring meatloaf, potatoes, vegetables, bread, dessert and beverages. Tickets are $17 per person, with both dine-in and take-out available. An extensive bake sale with homemade treats and a 50-50 raffle will also be held, with all proceeds supporting Wakeman Caring Community's programs. Board president Susan Kershaw emphasized the importance of the event, saying, "This dinner is our main fundraising opportunity each year, and it's a wonderful chance to bring the community together. This year is especially meaningful as we dedicate our new food pantry addition and celebrate forty years of serving Wakeman and surrounding communities." The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., and everyone is welcome to attend. The expansion project was made possible through the generosity of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Toledo Catholic Diocese, and major donors including The Fisher-Titus Foundation, Tom and Betsy Wheeler, the Wakeman Eagles Redcap Fund, The Twenty First Century Foundation, and the Wm. Dauch Concrete Company. John Nolan, a St. Mary's parishioner and community advocate, led the fundraising and construction efforts over the past year. "We now have a space that is three times larger, with upgraded amenities like independent air conditioning and a new loading entrance for deliveries," Nolan said. "This project truly demonstrates the power of community support." For more information about the event or to support Wakeman Caring Community, call 440-839-2023.