About The Peter Maurin Center
About The Peter Maurin Center
Serving Akron’s Most Vulnerable
with Compassion and Dignity
Serving Akron’s Most Vulnerable with Compassion and Dignity
The Peter Maurin Center is a volunteer-driven outreach ministry in Greater Akron, Ohio.
Since our founding, we have been guided by the vision of creating a place where those who
are often invisible or marginalized can feel welcomed, valued, and supported.
The Peter Maurin Center is a volunteer-driven outreach ministry in Greater Akron, Ohio.
Since our founding, we have been guided by the vision of creating a place where those who are often invisible or marginalized can feel welcomed, valued, and supported.
Restoring Dignity Through Service
What began as offering a cup of coffee, a bowl of soup, and a listening ear has grown into a community lifeline. Today, we provide hot meals, clothing, groceries, emergency shelter, counseling, and fellowship to our neighbors in need. Through every meal shared and every hand extended, we strive to restore dignity, hope, and belonging.
Restoring Dignity Through Service
What began as offering a cup of coffee, a bowl of soup, and a listening ear has grown into a community lifeline. Today, we provide hot meals, clothing, groceries, emergency shelter, counseling, and fellowship to our neighbors in need. Through every meal shared and every hand extended, we strive to restore dignity, hope, and belonging.
100% Volunteer-Powered
The Peter Maurin Center is proud to be entirely volunteer-operated. We have 0 paid employees and are sustained solely through the dedication of individuals who give their time, energy, and hearts to serve others. With more than 60–80 consistent volunteers weekly, every meal prepared, every delivery made, and every shelter opened is possible because of their commitment.
100% Volunteer-Powered
The Peter Maurin Center is proud to be entirely volunteer-operated. We have 0 paid employees and are sustained solely through the dedication of individuals who give their time, energy, and hearts to serve others. With more than 60–80 consistent volunteers weekly, every meal prepared, every delivery made, and every shelter opened is possible because of their commitment.
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to serve unsheltered and marginalized individuals and families in the greater Akron area by addressing physical, spiritual, and community needs.
Our mission is to serve unsheltered and marginalized individuals and families in the greater Akron area by addressing physical, spiritual, and community needs.
Our Impact
- 1,600+ hot meals served each month
- 40 families receive grocery home deliveries every other week
- 180,000 pounds of groceries distributed
- 70 people sheltered per winter nights
(44 nights this past season)
- 25–30 tent sites visited weekly through outreach
- 250,000+ meals served since our founding
- 1,600+ hot meals served each month
- 180,000 pounds of groceries distributed
- 40 families receive grocery home deliveries every other week
- 80 people sheltered during extreme winter nights
(43 consecutive days this season)
- 25–30 tent sites visited weekly through outreach
- 250,000+ meals served since our founding
0 paid employees, 100% volunteer driven
Our Ministries
- Hot Meals Program – Serving lunch three days a week, offering food and fellowship.
- Hot Meals Program North Hill – Serving lunch Thursdays from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM at Trinity UCC, 915 N Main Street, North Hill.
- Food Pantry & Grocery Deliveries – Partnering with Akron-Canton Foodbank to serve families and homebound neighbors.
- Campsite Support Visits – Reaching campsites, bridges, and parks with meals, clothing, and supplies.
- Emergency Overnight Warming Center – Providing safe refuge on dangerously cold nights.
- Counseling & Support – Assisting with resources for stability.
- Health Screenings, Bible Study, Student Support, and Community Garden – Programs that nourish body, mind, and spirit.
- Hot Meals Program – Serving lunch three days a week, offering food and fellowship.
- Food Pantry & Grocery Deliveries – Partnering with Akron-Canton Foodbank to serve families and homebound neighbors.
- Streetside Support Outreach – Reaching campsites, bridges, and parks with meals, clothing, and supplies.
- Emergency Shelter – Providing safe refuge on dangerously cold nights.
- Counseling & Support – Assisting with IDs, bills, and resources for stability.
- Transportation Assistance – Supplying bus passes and bicycles for essential needs.
- Health Screenings, Bible Study, Student Support, and Community Garden – Programs that nourish body, mind, and spirit.
Why We Do It
Our guests remind us daily of the importance of compassion. As one neighbor shared:
“If The Lord had not made The Peter Maurin Center instrumental in my homelessness, I would not have the fullness of life that I now have. I was losing faith in life and humanity—until this community rescued me.”
Why We Do It
Our guests remind us daily of the importance of compassion. As one neighbor shared:
“If The Lord had not made The Peter Maurin Center instrumental in my homelessness, I would not have the fullness of life that I now have. I was losing faith in life and humanity—until this community rescued me.”
Our History
In 2006, a generous benefactor helped us purchase what would become the Peter Maurin Center—a long-vacant building in one of Akron’s poorest neighborhoods. Inspired by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin of the Catholic Worker Movement, the dream was simple: create a “storefront” drop-in center where anyone could find a hot meal, a safe space, and a listening ear.
After years of sitting empty, the building needed major renovation. Thanks to volunteers and community support, we opened our doors in November 2008. Just five years later, we were blessed with the opportunity to expand into a second building, now home to our community center. Today, both spaces are fully owned—free of mortgage—and fully devoted to serving our neighbors in need.
Join Us
The Peter Maurin Center stands as a beacon of hope in Akron—but we cannot do it alone. With no paid staff, every act of generosity makes a direct impact. Whether you give your time, share your resources, or offer a kind word, you become part of a movement to restore dignity and transform lives.
Join Us
The Peter Maurin Center stands as a beacon of hope in Akron—but we cannot do it alone. With no paid staff, every act of generosity makes a direct impact. Whether you give your time, share your resources, or offer a kind word, you become part of a movement to restore dignity and transform lives.
Join Us
The Peter Maurin Center stands as a beacon of hope in Akron—but we cannot do it alone. With no paid staff, every act of generosity makes a direct impact. Whether you give your time, share your resources, or offer a kind word, you become part of a movement to restore dignity and transform lives.