The Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign and Logan Counties on Tuesday launched a mobile food pantry. Check out this story and photo on the Ohio Benefit Bank central region blog:
OBBservations in Central Ohio: Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign and Logan Counties Launch Mobile Food Pantry
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
A year you won't forget
OASHF is currently accepting applications for AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) members to start in November. VISTAs, who are the domestic counterparts to overseas Peace Corps volunteers, are passionate and enthusiastic individuals who dedicate a year of their lives to fighting poverty here at home.
Our SHARECorps program will be placing up to 30 VISTA members across Ohio, focusing on alleviating hunger and poverty by building the capacity of local nonprofit organizations. To search for our available positions and to apply, visit www.americorps.gov, but first, go to http://www.oashf.org/docs/programs/AmeriCorps_Application_Instructions.pdf and check out the instructions for finding OASHF positions on the AmeriCorps website.
One lucky VISTA will be based here, in the OASHF office downtown Columbus. We are seeking a Community Organizer, who will work with the Ohio Benefit Bank sites in central Ohio to increase the financial security of low-income community members by assisting them in accessing public benefits and tax credits and by increasing financial literacy. A complete description is here:
Central Ohio AmeriCorps VISTA
For questions about the VISTA positions, contact VISTA Leader Alesha Rademan at 614-221-4336 x253 or arademan@oashf.org.
Our SHARECorps program will be placing up to 30 VISTA members across Ohio, focusing on alleviating hunger and poverty by building the capacity of local nonprofit organizations. To search for our available positions and to apply, visit www.americorps.gov, but first, go to http://www.oashf.org/docs/programs/AmeriCorps_Application_Instructions.pdf and check out the instructions for finding OASHF positions on the AmeriCorps website.
One lucky VISTA will be based here, in the OASHF office downtown Columbus. We are seeking a Community Organizer, who will work with the Ohio Benefit Bank sites in central Ohio to increase the financial security of low-income community members by assisting them in accessing public benefits and tax credits and by increasing financial literacy. A complete description is here:
Central Ohio AmeriCorps VISTA
For questions about the VISTA positions, contact VISTA Leader Alesha Rademan at 614-221-4336 x253 or arademan@oashf.org.
30 Days in September, 30 ways to fight hunger in Ohio
September is Hunger Action Month!
Ohio's foodbanks have organized events, volunteer opportunities, and ways for you to help and get involved in fighting hunger in our communities. You can get ideas for how to help fight hunger every day this month with your foodbank's Hunger Action Month calendar.
To find out which of Ohio's foodbanks serves your county, check out this map on the OASHF website.
Ohio's foodbanks have organized events, volunteer opportunities, and ways for you to help and get involved in fighting hunger in our communities. You can get ideas for how to help fight hunger every day this month with your foodbank's Hunger Action Month calendar.
To find out which of Ohio's foodbanks serves your county, check out this map on the OASHF website.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Homeless children get lessons in health
AmeriCorps VISTA member Beth Griffith-Niemann speaks with WLWT Channel 5 in Cincinnati about the summer camp program being conducted by Faces Without Places for homeless children. During the Health Fair, children learned about healthy living, healthy eating and fire prevention. Beth serves at Faces Without Places through OASHF's SHARECorps program. Click here to watch the video on WLWT's website.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Summer feeding sites get a boost from AmeriCorps VISTAs
More of Ohio's needy children will have access to healthy meals this summer, with the help of 100 AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates who kicked off a summer of service today at a swearing-in ceremony at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. The VISTA Summer Associates will spend the summer supporting organizations who serve free meals to children during the summer through the USDA's Summer Food Service Program.
United States Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon administered the federal oath of service at the ceremony. Concannon expressed his gratitude toward National Service and its ability to help provide meals to children in need across Ohio.
"The health and wellbeing of our nation is dependent on the health of our children, and no child should ever have to go hungry," Concannon said. "USDA knows that our strength comes from our partnerships and from the work of service members such as the 100 AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates who will help ensure that Ohio children have a healthy start in life."
This year, 25 organizations throughout Ohio were awarded Summer Associates administered by the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, which acts as an intermediary between the Corporation for National and Community Service and the organizations that serve summer meals to children, including rec centers, places of worship, schools and camps. Summer Associates recruit volunteers, develop fun and educational activities for the summer programs, and reach out to families in need to ensure more children are being fed.
Crucial support for OASHF's Summer Associate program was provided by Governor Kasich's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Due to an uncertainty in funding for the Summer Associate program, OASHF was originally awarded only 75 Summer Associate slots to be placed at summer feeding sites in 2011. Recognizing the growing needs of children throughout Ohio with so many families still out of work, the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives provided an additional $60,000 that allowed OASHF to mobilize 25 more Summer Associates.
Four in ten Ohio children now qualify for the free or reduced-price school lunch. For these children, whose families struggle to make ends meet all year round, summer vacation can mean an end to the nutritional stability they have at school.
“Last year, only one out of every 12 children throughout Ohio who were eligible, were connected to the state’s Summer Food Service Programs. Summer Associates are a vital resource for organizations and agencies that administer a Summer Food Service Program, allowing for these sites to provide a nutritious meal to children in need,” said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, OASHF executive director.
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, who co-hosted a hunger summit in January aimed at increasing the number of children who have access to a summer feeding site, sent a letter of recognition to each of the Summer Associates. "Like you, I swore an oath to serve the public. It is a humbling responsibility to recognize our individual actions are measured by the public good. But it's also an honor, and one that I now share with you," Brown wrote.
"As I travel the state, I see first-hand why what you do is so important. Congratulations again and thank you for your service to the people of our great state. I look forward to working with you and seeing the great things you will accomplish."
(See the Summer Associates taking the oath of service administered by United States Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon.)
United States Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon administered the federal oath of service at the ceremony. Concannon expressed his gratitude toward National Service and its ability to help provide meals to children in need across Ohio.
"The health and wellbeing of our nation is dependent on the health of our children, and no child should ever have to go hungry," Concannon said. "USDA knows that our strength comes from our partnerships and from the work of service members such as the 100 AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates who will help ensure that Ohio children have a healthy start in life."
This year, 25 organizations throughout Ohio were awarded Summer Associates administered by the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, which acts as an intermediary between the Corporation for National and Community Service and the organizations that serve summer meals to children, including rec centers, places of worship, schools and camps. Summer Associates recruit volunteers, develop fun and educational activities for the summer programs, and reach out to families in need to ensure more children are being fed.
Crucial support for OASHF's Summer Associate program was provided by Governor Kasich's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Due to an uncertainty in funding for the Summer Associate program, OASHF was originally awarded only 75 Summer Associate slots to be placed at summer feeding sites in 2011. Recognizing the growing needs of children throughout Ohio with so many families still out of work, the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives provided an additional $60,000 that allowed OASHF to mobilize 25 more Summer Associates.
“Last year, only one out of every 12 children throughout Ohio who were eligible, were connected to the state’s Summer Food Service Programs. Summer Associates are a vital resource for organizations and agencies that administer a Summer Food Service Program, allowing for these sites to provide a nutritious meal to children in need,” said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, OASHF executive director.
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, who co-hosted a hunger summit in January aimed at increasing the number of children who have access to a summer feeding site, sent a letter of recognition to each of the Summer Associates. "Like you, I swore an oath to serve the public. It is a humbling responsibility to recognize our individual actions are measured by the public good. But it's also an honor, and one that I now share with you," Brown wrote.
"As I travel the state, I see first-hand why what you do is so important. Congratulations again and thank you for your service to the people of our great state. I look forward to working with you and seeing the great things you will accomplish."
(See the Summer Associates taking the oath of service administered by United States Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon.)
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