The Rarden Daily Bread, Inc. opened its doors in March 2020 with a simple mission: Feed anyone in need across Scioto and Adams counties.
Since then, that goal has grown into a daily act of compassion.
A Dream That Sparked Action
After retiring from her newspaper job, founder Pam Syroney felt called to do something more.
“One day after church, I told my husband about a dream I kept having,” Pam said. “A little girl couldn’t sleep because she was hungry and cold.”
The dream stayed with her.
“It felt so real. I knew I had to do something,” she said.
Pam didn’t know how to run a soup kitchen, but she started anyway. Six years later, her idea has become a lifeline for the community.
Open Every Day — No Exceptions
The Rarden Daily Bread serves meals 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Even during the 2020 pandemic, the doors never closed. Up to 100 meals served daily. No questions asked. Their motto: Come hungry and get a meal.
Powered by Community
This effort runs on generosity.
“It takes a whole community to run The Rarden,” Pam said.
From 2020 to 2025, volunteers and supporters helped serve:
- Over 209,000 meals
- 21,000–24,000 volunteer hours
That’s compassion in action.
Why Volunteers Keep Showing Up
AEP Ohio Business Service Account Manager Holly Johnson volunteers every Wednesday and hasn’t missed a shift in three years.
“I love to volunteer because I care about southern Ohio and want to help where help is needed. I’m drawn to organizations that truly make a difference and where you can see the impact on people’s lives,” Holly said.
Growing to Serve More
The need continues to grow, and so does The Rarden Daily Bread. Thanks to strong community support and funding from the AEP Ohio Foundation, the organization is moving to a larger building to better meet the increasing demand.
“The new facility, expected to open in September, will provide significantly more space than the current location—strengthening operations, improving service, and expanding the organization’s capacity to serve more individuals and families in need,” Pam said. “The AEP Ohio Foundation grant not only bridges the gap in funding for food purchases but also helps ensure that no one in the community goes without a meal.”
“The Rarden Daily Bread is more than a meal program — it is a lifeline, providing meals, hope and a testament to what a small community can do when it comes together,” Holly said.
Learn More
Visit The Rarden Daily Bread’s Facebook group for information on their great work and how you can volunteer.
