For more than two decades, SERV International has quietly extended hope from Canton to communities around the globe. What began as a mission to meet both physical and spiritual needs internationally has grown into a steady local presence in Cherokee County, where more than 1,000 food boxes are packed and distributed each month to neighbors facing food insecurity.
Founder and CEO Steve Kasha speaks with clarity and conviction about the work. “We believe people need a hand up, not just a handout,” he says. That philosophy shapes SERV’s newest initiative, Meal a Month, a program designed to invite the community into a shared rhythm of generosity.
For $35 each month, individuals, families, small groups, churches, and local businesses can sponsor one of those 1,000 food boxes. Inside the SERV center, a wall of blue cards represents each family served. As sponsors commit, the cards are turned to orange and often signed, a quiet but visible reminder that someone has chosen to stand in the gap.
Meal a Month is simple in structure yet profound in effect. It asks participants to give up one meal and replace it with another. In doing so, it transforms an ordinary dinner into an intentional investment in Cherokee County's well-being. What emerges is not only provision for families in need, but a renewed sense of connection among those who call this community home. SERV’s local outreach has expanded steadily over the past five years, even as food costs have doubled and, in some cases, nearly quadrupled. Rising prices have required thoughtful recalibration, but not retreat. Instead, leadership saw an opportunity to bring the community closer together.
Local Outreach Director Zip Cain describes the heart behind the initiative. “There are so many people in our community who want to help. They just need a clear and meaningful way to do it,” he explains. Meal a Month provides that clarity. It offers a starting point and a sustainable path forward, allowing SERV to plan with consistency while inviting broad participation.
Each food box contains carefully selected staples assembled by volunteers who understand that dignity matters as much as nutrition. Sponsors are encouraged not only to give financially, but also to engage personally. They can join packing days, distribute boxes, and meet the families whose lives are touched by their investment. The experience often reshapes the giver as much as the recipient.
In an April investment issue, the language of return feels particularly resonant. The return here is not measured in percentages, but in strengthened neighborhoods and restored hope. When a family receives a box accompanied by a note and a prayer, they encounter more than groceries. They encounter care.
SERV’s global reach continues across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond, yet its local focus remains steadfast. By inviting Cherokee County residents to give up one meal each month, Meal a Month reframes generosity as a shared discipline. In a community known for hospitality and pride of place, it feels both natural and necessary. Get involved! ServOne.org/Mealamonth
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Why One Meal Matters
•$35 a month sponsors a food box filled with essentials and hope.
•Each sponsored box is prayed over before it goes out.
•Packs and deliveries are volunteer-driven, creating shared purpose.
•Meal a Month fosters a rhythm of giving that strengthens both community and spirit.