AKRON, Ohio — The Akron Municipal Court steps looked different Wednesday afternoon. Volunteers served meals to the homeless and hungry people of the Akron community. 

What You Need To Know

  • Akron Municipal Court provided 150 lunches for Akron's homeless and hungry

  • Judges were out volunteering and speaking on giving back

  • One in five veterans is homeless

One volunteer was Judge David Hamilton, an Akron native, who said he wants to see his community thrive.

“It’s just our way of coming off the bench and getting into the community,” Hamilton said. 

Another judge, Ron Cable, was also handing out meals. He explained what it was important for the courthouse to be a part of this initiative.

“You know, we serve the population here in greater Akron," Cable said. "A lot of the people that we see are in need."

One group of people that needs some help is veterans. Devin Wilgus, who works for Veterans Affairs, said that one in five homeless people are veterans.

“There should be no homeless, but there should specifically be no homeless veteran," Wilgus said. "So that takes a community, it takes a team and that’s the biggest thing we’re pushing. We need to be one team and going out and fighting that good fight."

Hamilton said that events like this could help stop people from entering further into the criminal justice system.

“We’re just trying to make the difference and show people it's not just about sentencing someone… this is one of the ways that we can do it, just by giving back, showing people we care,” he said.

There were 150 meals donated by different organizations in order to feed the homeless in Akron. 

Editor's Note: This story previously misidentified Ron Cable with the first name Rob. The story has been updated to the correct name. (June 9, 2022)