When the Lights Went Out
At OPEN M, our mission has always been to serve and support the Akron community with critical health and wellness services, food assistance and securing employment. But this year began with an unexpected challenge that deeply impacted our ability to serve.
On December 30th, a powerful windstorm caused a power outage. Our facility lost power for two and a half days, and without a backup generator, the consequences were devastating.
The Impact of the Outage
Catastrophic Losses in the Clinic
The outage hit our clinic hardest. Because the outage occurred overnight, we arrived in the morning to find that all of our refrigerated medications—including life-saving insulin—were compromised. These medications were rendered unusable and had to be discarded. Among them were high-dollar drugs valued at $5,000 per dose. In total, the clinic suffered a loss of over $78,910 in medications.
Challenges in the Food Pantry
Our food pantry also faced challenges during the outage. One of our refrigeration units was completely lost, further complicating our efforts to save perishable items. While our team managed to save most refrigerated items by transferring them to our walk-in freezer, the freezer itself had to remain sealed to preserve temperatures. Our pantry staff worked in the dark to assemble food packages but we were forced to close the pantry for a day, turning away families who rely on us for essential food assistance. This was a heartbreaking moment for our staff and volunteers. Had the outage lasted just 24 hours longer, the losses would have been even greater, costing tens of thousands of dollars and putting hundreds of families at risk of food insecurity.
Why We Need Your Help
This experience has underscored a critical need for OPEN M: a backup generator. With Akron’s weather patterns becoming increasingly unpredictable, having a reliable power source is essential to safeguarding our operations and ensuring we can continue to serve the community without interruption.
The cost of a backup generator is significant—$101,000—but it is a necessary investment in the future of OPEN M and the community we serve. This generator will:
Protect life-saving medications and prevent future losses in our clinic.
Ensure the food pantry can operate, even during power outages.
Provide uninterrupted services to the thousands of individuals who rely on us every week.
Join Our Campaign
OPEN M is launching a capital campaign to raise the $101,000 needed for this critical infrastructure. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal and ensures we are better prepared to weather the challenges of the future.
How You Can Help
Donate Today: Visit our donation page to contribute directly to the generator fund. Every dollar counts and brings us one step closer to securing our operations.
Share Our Story: Spread the word by sharing this blog post with your friends, family, and social networks. Awareness is key to reaching our goal.
Get Involved: Are you part of a local business or organization that can help? Partner with us to make a lasting impact on the Akron community.
Together, We Can Keep Akron Strong
Thank you for standing with us in this critical moment. As we kick off our 'Doers, Donors, and Door Openers' campaign, we invite you to join us in making a tangible impact on Akron's future.
OPEN M’s need for a generator isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about saving lives. For countless individuals and families in our community, we are their last line of hope. When trials in life hit hardest, OPEN M stands strong, providing food for the hungry, care for the sick and serving as a steadfast presence in the community for those who need it most.
But we can’t do it alone.
With your support, we can ensure that OPEN M remains a light in the darkness for Akron’s most vulnerable residents. Together, we can offer not just services, but dignity, compassion and a chance at a better tomorrow.
Every dollar you give helps us remain ready to serve—no matter the challenges ahead.
Your generosity can make all the difference. Join us and together we can enrich the lives of our neighbors! Donate Now and be the hope someone desperately needs.