MANSFIELD — Not even “death” can stop Doc Stumbo from helping the less fortunate in Richland County.
The 87-year-old returned Friday morning to lead the annual Make A Difference Day food drive he launched 22 years ago.
Stumbo, the retired auto worker, UAW leader and longtime community activist was sick in the hospital during the event in 2024 and missed attending it in person for the first time.
“Last year, I was dead with pneumonia,” Stumbo said with a laugh outside DLX as the sun began to rise.
“I thought I was gone. But I am back,” said the man known affectionately as “Mayor of Richland County.”
Stumbo’s event, which also relies heavily on support from local labor unions, helps to restock the shelves for Catholic Charities and also at Wayfinders, a homeless shelter in Mansfield formerly known as Harmony House.
Donations were accepted Friday from 7-10 a.m. in front of Dan Lew Exchange/DLX on North Park Street in Mansfield’s Central Park.
Residents could also donate non-perishable food items, toiletries and paper products, as well as cash and checks made payable to either Catholic Charities or Wayfinders.
Stumbo said Friday afternoon the drive generated $13,448 in cash, checks and food donations.
Stumbo said he developed the idea more than two decades ago when he noticed there was no such event on the National Make A Difference Day, recognized each year on the fourth Saturday in October.
“It was Make A Difference Day and around here, nobody was doing anything,” said Stumbo.
Stumbo is a West Virginia native who moved to Shelby in 1958 and went to work for General Motors after serving in the military.
“So I got all the local media together and we came up with the food drive. All the media has been backing me for 22 years now,” he said.
(Photos taken Friday morning outside DLX in downtown Mansfield during the 22nd annual Make A Difference Day Food Drive. The story continues below the images.)
‘A lot of need out there’
Former Mansfield News Journal publisher and editor Tom Brennan was one of the first media members he solicited for help. Brennan, who retired 10 years ago, was there to help Stumbo again on Friday.
“Doc is the guy who moves it along and runs it. I come now to be supportive of him, but I’m glad that he asked me to do it,” Brennan said.
“There is nobody like Doc. He does so much for this community and he’ll continue to do it. He’s a very selfless guy. He really wants to do things for other people. It’s never about himself,” Brennan said.
Stumbo’s union support remains as strong as ever. Local leaders arrived with financial contributions from labor members. They also assisted as people arrived to drop off food and household needs.
“It’s a need in the community,” said Norm Shoemaker, president of the Mid-Ohio Central Labor Council. “There are so many people that need help, especially in the fall before the holidays.
“It’s when the food banks are empty and they seem to need the most help. This year is no different. There is a lot of need out there,” Shoemaker said.
“It’s always to see great Doc out here. I don’t know what the community would do without him … for all he has done for everybody over the years,” he said.
Hank Webb, business manager for Laborers Local 1216, said the food banks are an important part of the community.
“They are members within the community …. neighbors are the ones that are benefiting from this. It’s just a good opportunity for us to get back to the community that gives to us,” Webb said.
He also praised Stumbo’s efforts.
“If Doc wasn’t running a lot of things, there wouldn’t be a lot of things that go on,” Webb said. “He is just a tremendous asset to our community. Not having him (here) last year, I think showed a lot of people how much he really does within the area, all the connections, everything that he is involved in.
“Doc really knows how to get things done,” Webb said.
Brian McPeek, business manager for the IBEW 688, said local members know the value of the food drive — and will always support Stumbo.
“Doc has done a lot for the community and IBEW cares about the community and we welcome any chance to give back. It’s something we care about. We missed not having Doc here last year,” McPeek said.
No place like Richland County
One of the largest individual food donors on Friday morning came from Richland Engineering Limited.
Engineer Angel Pelfrey helps organize the effort each year.
“I have been with REL for 25 years and it’s been going on as long as I can remember,” she said. “I don’t know how it got started, but we all enjoy contributing.”
She said employees have been collecting food drive items for the last three weeks.
“I remind everybody every week that the food drive is coming up,” she said.
Stumbo said the need for the food drive has only increased since it began.
“People are now having a hard time paying their utilities and stuff and eating and the medical bills and prescriptions. They just can’t do it,” he said.
Stumbo praised the support of local labor unions — and all residents of Richland County.
“The unions have been great. They give thousands of dollars every year and I couldn’t keep it going if it wasn’t for them backing me.
“And the people in Richland County are great. They give and give and give,” Stumbo said.
“There is no place like Richland County.”