ASHLAND — No, not here. Kids don’t have food in Ethiopia and Syria and Mexico—OTHER places.
Unfortunately, hunger runs deep in Ashland County.
On average, between 220 and 260 families seek food assistance from the Associated Charities Food Bank (ACFB) per month. The demand is so high it nearly outpaces what the ACFB can handle.
“People seeking assistance from us, food is by far their biggest need. When there are financial hardships, food insecurity becomes real,” said ACFB Executive Director Rosemarie Donley.
The Food Bank was established in the 1980s in the basement of a local church. As nutrition needs kept growing, it became too much for the churches. The Bank then merged with Associated Charities.
Now, ACFB is a full-scale mini grocery store, even providing families with fresh dairy and meat.
The ACFB operates entirely off of donations, support and volunteer hours from 35 Ashland County churches and considerate citizens. There is absolutely no government assistance associated with this system of helping people eat.
A Child Should Never Miss a Meal
It can be extremely hard for someone to swallow their pride and seek help when it comes to ensuring a kid has enough quality food to consume. People get laid off, have accidents, there are dependency and mental health issues — it’s easy to lay blame and say, “It’s not my problem” or “It’s their own fault.”
Obviously, it’s not the child’s choice. They don’t have anything to do with circumstances beyond their control.
Ashland County Job & Family Services (ACJFS) has a “food assistance program.” The mission is to “raise nutritional levels, to expand buying power, and to safeguard the health and well-being of individuals in low income households in Ohio,” as stated on the ACJFS website.
It doesn’t hurt to apply, and you can do so in person at 15 W 4th St, by mailing in an application, via fax or even set up an appointment online.
If you run out of groceries and need a quick meal, there are some “no questions asked” options.
The Salvation Army/Ashland Kroc Center has free lunches every day from 11 a.m. to noon. You can just show up and eat. The center accepts donations as well.
Local churches also offer food assistance throughout the week, like St. Edward’s Church, that has a free hunger center dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights.
“It’s been going for 30 years. But we’ve seen more families with kids than we used to,” said the Rev. Rod Kreidler, of St. Edward’s.
“They look out for each other. A family came in late one time when most of the food was gone. Others offered their own food to them,” he said.
School Lunch Matters
Getting through the school day can be hard enough, especially on an empty stomach. Public schools combat this with free and reduced lunches.
St. Ed’s doesn’t turn away any child from getting lunch as well and absorbs the cost, even though 26 kids would qualify for funding.
For some children, the weekends mean not having enough food and in the summertime it is even worse. A source said some teachers would even stuff backpacks full of food on Fridays for kids that they know aren’t eating enough at home.
What Can You Do?
You can donate your time, money, groceries and/or help spread awareness.
ACFB has a drop-off behind the building at 240 Cleveland Ave. Just pull up to the service door and they will help you unload.
Next time you go grocery shopping, have the kids pick out some food for the less fortunate. They will be able to see direct action and will love being a part of a charitable cause.
Don’t forget about tax write-offs! Charitable donations can be applied to your tax return so you can help and save money.
You can also stay up to date by singing up for the ACFB newsletter on their website.
Charity in Action
The fourth grade Girl Scout Troop 1219 is leading by example and helping the ACFB.
“The decision to help the food bank was actually the choice of our scouts. Every year, they all suggest different ideas on how we can help out in our town, and they vote on what they would like to do,” said troop leader Carly Little.
Saturday was their “Trunk or Treat” event in Lot B where residents played games, bought baked goods that the scouts made and filled the trunks of cars with donations. There was even a massive candy drop from a crane like a giant piñata.
The troop partnered with Ashland University’s G.I.V.S. organization that is built for “meaningful service opportunities locally, nationally and even globally in an effort to encourage social responsibility, community involvement and thoughtful action,” from the mission statement on their website.
“AU G.I.V.S has been a HUGE help with trunk or treat. As a troop we have received a lot of love and support from the people in our community so we love to be able to give something back in return. These girls have huge hearts,” said Little.
