Hunger Network

What Hunger Network does

Hunger Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 4415 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, that provides emergency food assistance and food rescue services across Greater Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. The organization was founded in 1977 as the Hunger Taskforce under the Interchurch Council of Greater Cleveland, became an independent entity in 1995, and launched a Food Rescue program in 2018. It operates a dual-track service model: a Hunger Relief network of 70+ strategically placed food pantries and hot-meal sites (including the MidTown Market grocery-style choice pantry) and a volunteer-powered Food Rescue initiative that connects 50+ food donors with 100+ nonprofit recipients to redirect surplus edible food from the waste stream.

The technology footprint is deliberately lean and externally sourced. Food rescue logistics run on the Food Rescue Hero mobile app (iOS/Android), which dispatches volunteers from pickup to delivery in under an hour; volunteer scheduling and tracking use Volgistics; event registration and donation processing run on RunSignUp; and email marketing is handled via e2ma. Hunger Network has no disclosed proprietary AI, ML, or data-science capabilities, and its core intellectual property is operational and relational rather than technological.

The business model is donation-driven. Hunger Network earns no revenue from service recipients — all food pantry and hot-meal services are free — and instead funds operations through individual donations (one-time and recurring via 'The Core' monthly program), event sponsorships (Walk for Hunger & 5K Run, Golf Outing, Night to Fight Hunger Gala), major gifts ($2,500+), appreciated-stock contributions, and planned giving (bequests, charitable trusts). Approximately 95% of food distributed is purchased from local warehouses and wholesalers using donated funds, with a stated efficiency of $1 donated = 4 meals provided. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on 2,000+ volunteers and partnerships with major Cleveland institutions (Cleveland Foundation, Community West Foundation, Bank of America, MetroHealth, Whole Foods, Cleveland Cavaliers/Giant Eagle, Greater Cleveland Food Bank) for reach, in-kind support, and funding.

Name

Hunger Network

Legal name

Hunger Network

Website

https://hungernetwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hunger Network is a Cleveland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing emergency food assistance across 70+ sites in Cuyahoga County and running a volunteer-powered Food Rescue program that redirects surplus food from donors to 100+ nonprofit recipients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute one-time or monthly recurring donations. For every $1 donated, Hunger Network can provide 4 meals. Monthly giving program called 'The Core' enables ongoing support.
2. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships available at three signature events: Walk for Hunger & 5K Run, Golf Outing, and Night to Fight Hunger Gala.
3. Planned Giving: Bequests, charitable trusts, and beneficiary designations from legacy donors.
4. Food Purchases: Hunger Network purchases 95% of food it distributes from local warehouses and wholesalers, funded by donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hunger Network operates a countywide emergency food assistance and food rescue organization serving individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The organization runs 70+ hunger relief sites (food pantries and hot meal locations), the MidTown Market choice food pantry, and a volunteer-powered Food Rescue program that redirects surplus food from commercial donors to nonprofit recipients. All services are provided free of charge to recipients, funded entirely through donations, event sponsorships, planned giving, and grants.

Product overview

Hunger Network is a nonprofit hunger relief organization operating a dual-track service model: Hunger Relief (70+ food pantries and hot meal sites across Greater Cleveland, including the MidTown Market choice pantry) and Food Rescue (volunteer-powered logistics connecting 50+ food donors with 100+ nonprofits to redirect edible food from landfills). The organization supplements its core programs with SNAP application assistance, nutrition education (videos, recipes, seasonal guides), and volunteer management. Major annual events include the Walk for Hunger & 5K Run, Night to Fight Hunger Gala, and Golf Outing. Food rescue operations are powered by the Food Rescue Hero mobile app platform, while volunteer scheduling uses Volgistics and event donations process through RunSignUp.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MidTown Market: A grocery-style choice food pantry serving those in need of healthy, nutritious, culturally appropriate foods and personal care items.
• Hunger Network Food Rescue
• Hunger Network Ambassadors
• The Core

Products and services

• Hunger Relief Sites Network Emergency food pantry and hot meal site network operating 70+ locations across Greater Cleveland, providing free food supplies to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Sites offer emergency food assistance on a recurring schedule.
• MidTown Market Choice Food Pantry Grocery-style choice food pantry at 4415 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, offering dry goods, meats, dairy, produce, and personal care items based on household size. Open multiple days per week as a sub-brand of Hunger Network.
• Food Rescue Program Volunteer-based food rescue initiative connecting 50+ food donors with 100+ nonprofit recipients to prevent edible food from entering landfills and redirect it to those experiencing food insecurity. Delivers food in less than an hour via the Food Rescue Hero app.
• SNAP Application Assistance Helps eligible individuals and families navigate and apply for Ohio SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits to purchase eligible food.
• Nutrition Education Program Educational programming including 'Around the Table' cooking videos, budget-friendly recipe books, and seasonal nutrition tips developed with Registered Dietitian expertise.
• Hunger Network Mobile App (Food Rescue Hero) Mobile application on iOS and Android that enables Hunger Network volunteers to claim food rescue assignments, navigate pickup/delivery routes, and coordinate food donations in real-time through the Food Rescue Hero platform.
• Community Food Drives Community-organized food collection drives supporting Hunger Network's pantries, with tools for setting up drives, promotional materials, and most-needed items lists.
• Walk for Hunger & 5K Run Annual fundraising event at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo bringing together supporters to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief efforts.
• Night to Fight Hunger Gala Annual culinary-themed gala event supporting Hunger Network's mission with corporate sponsorship opportunities.
• Annual Golf Outing Annual charity golf tournament fundraiser supporting Hunger Network's hunger relief and food rescue programs.
• Volunteer Portal Platform for recruiting and managing 2,000+ volunteers for food rescue, MidTown Market pantry operations, ambassador events, and group/corporate volunteer opportunities.
• Hunger Network Ambassadors Program Volunteer leadership program providing opportunities for engaged volunteers to represent Hunger Network at community events, food pantries, and networking functions throughout the year.
• The Core Monthly Giving Program Recurring monthly donation program enabling ongoing donor support for Hunger Network's hunger relief operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.3 million pounds of food rescued in 2024, equivalent to 526,000 meals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Greater Cleveland Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Key collaborator providing guest speakers and insights on federal/state policy changes for hunger relief site managers.
• Cleveland Cavaliers / Giant EaglemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cleveland Cavaliers launched Million Meals Mission supported by Giant Eagle to deliver increased food security for Northeast Ohio families.
• MedworkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Healthcare partnership providing preventative health screenings at Hunger Network sites, serving 3,000+ Cuyahoga County residents with 20,000+ screenings.
• Case Western Reserve University (Physician Assistant Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Healthcare students and professionals from CWRU PA program partner with Hunger Network for health screenings and community wellness programs.
• Food Rescue HerocoreTechnology or IntegrationPowered by Food Rescue Hero platform, Hunger Network uses their mobile app to coordinate volunteer food rescue logistics from pickup to delivery, enabling food to reach recipients in under an hour.
• MetroHealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHunger Network Food Rescue partnered with MetroHealth to fight local hunger through food rescue distribution to MetroHealth patients and community.
• Whole Foods MarketmajorOthersMajor food donor and supporter; donated 50th refrigerated van to help nourish communities.
• Stella MarisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecovery services provider highlighted at hunger relief site manager meetings for community members in need.
• New Life Gospel Center of ClevelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted quarterly collaborative meeting for hunger relief site managers; one of 70+ partner hunger relief sites.
• Orlando Baking CominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Hunger Network to feed struggling restaurant workers during the pandemic.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator: [Note: omitted — insufficient confidence in direct comparability to Hunger Network's food assistance mission.]
• Cleveland Foundation: Major philanthropic funder of Hunger Network. As a community foundation and Hunger Network partner, it represents the funder-side ecosystem that Hunger Network depends on for grants and is comparable in that both operate within the Cleveland civic/nonprofit ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Greater Cleveland Food Bank: Operates as the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio, distributing millions of pounds of food annually across Cuyahoga County. Directly comparable in geography, mission, and beneficiary population; Hunger Network explicitly collaborates with this organization on policy advocacy for hunger relief site managers.
• Move For Hunger: A national nonprofit that coordinates food rescue through volunteer drivers and movers, similar to Hunger Network's Food Rescue program. Directly comparable in food-rescue logistics model, volunteer-driven distribution, and anti-hunger mission.
• FoodForward: A Los Angeles-based nonprofit that rescues surplus produce and food and distributes it to communities in need, very similar in model to Hunger Network Food Rescue. Comparable in food rescue operations, volunteer mobilization, and community food distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: The national umbrella network of 200+ food banks. Comparable in core mission of food distribution and food rescue; Greater Cleveland Food Bank (Hunger Network's main local peer) is itself a Feeding America member, positioning both Hunger Network and Feeding America in the same category of food bank/anti-hunger operators.

Regional players

• Mid-Ohio Food Collective: A large regional food bank serving central and eastern Ohio. Comparable in food banking, distribution, and nutrition services model; operates in a different region of Ohio than Hunger Network but mirrors the structure of a regional hunger relief organization.
• Philabundance: A large regional food bank serving the Greater Philadelphia area. Comparable as a regional hunger-relief nonprofit operating food pantries, meal programs, and nutrition education, similar to Hunger Network's MidTown Market and SNAP assistance programs.
• Community Food Bank of Central Alabama: A regional food bank operating pantries, mobile pantries, and hunger relief programs in Alabama. Comparable to Hunger Network in operating model (food pantry network + food rescue), scope (single metro/county), and reliance on donations and volunteers.

Emerging players

• Food Rescue Hero (platform): The technology platform powering Hunger Network's food rescue operations. While Hunger Network is a user of the platform, Food Rescue Hero itself is a comparable peer in the food rescue technology and logistics space and represents the core enabling technology for Hunger Network's flagship Food Rescue program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Hunger_Network
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheHungerNetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hungernetwork
• Instagraminstagram.com/hungernetworkorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hunger Network