ASHLAND — While the holidays may mean magic and merry-making for some, for others, it can come with challenges.
Wondering where your next meal is coming from, struggling to pay for gifts for your family, or needing a warm place to stay can become even more daunting tasks for those struggling as the weather gets colder.
“Hunger does not take a vacation,” said Chris Box, the executive director of Associated Charities. “But this time of year is exceptional because of the season of giving.
“For us, this is year-round.”
In Ashland, several organizations work to meet peoples’ needs, and their work continues during the holiday season.
Associated Charities
Box, with Associated Charities, said her organization helps in several ways during the holiday season.
Associated Charities continues offering its temporary, short-term food assistance and financial assistance during the holidays for those who qualify. To qualify, one must provide Associated Charities with some income and residence information. You can find specifics on the organization’s website.
Box said Associated Charities typically helps on a case-by-case basis, assessing needs as they arrive.
During the cold season, Box said the organization works with school liaisons to ensure students have coats and clothing items.
Associated Charities also has a Christmas meal-kit giveaway. Signups for that take place through Ashland 211. The meal kits feed four people and come with a ham and several sides to make a holiday dinner. Registration began Nov. 25 and goes through Dec. 13, Box said.
For those who want to help those in need during the holidays, Box said there are opportunities to do so.
People can sign up for Adopt-a-Family, she said. She also said Associated Charities takes food donations during its client hours. Those are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ashland 211
Those in need can call Ashland 211. That number routes people to a non-emergency help line.
The help line is free and confidential, and connects people with social service agencies to ensure their needs are being filled during the holidays.
Residents can get in touch by either calling 211, or texting their zip code to 898211.
Kroc Center
The Kroc Center has several needs it’s working to meet this holiday season.
Dan Lawson, the director of community relations and development for the Kroc Center, said the organization has the Angel Tree going on now. One is located in the Woodforest National Bank in Walmart, and another is at the Kroc Center.
Those interested in helping to fill families’ needs can take a tag off the tree, purchase a toy and drop it back off, either at Walmart or the Kroc Center. Lawson added the Kroc Center is helping with Adopt-a-Family as well.
Kroc Christmas is also on the horizon, which serves as the Kroc Center’s largest fundraiser of the year. This year, the event takes place Dec. 14 from 3 to 6 p.m. Lawson said it features a bucking Rudolph, a giant tree, photos with Santa and more.
The week of Dec. 16, the Kroc Center will hand out boxes of food for families in need during the holiday. Persons asking for that help need to be below 200% of the federal poverty level, which is around $50,200 for a family of four.
For those who qualify for that help, they can sign up to receive food by calling into the Kroc Center’s social services department. That department can be reached at 419-281-8001.
Lawson also said the Kroc Center is in need of volunteers for the week of Dec. 16. That week, the Kroc Center will give out food and organize Angel Tree gifts. The Kroc Center also needs volunteers to ring the bells, which are hour-long volunteer slots.
Volunteers can sign up online. Lawson said a social security number is required because the organization must do a background check, since volunteers are around children.
Ashland County Health Department
The Health Department keeps a running list of churches, charities and social service agencies on its website. There is a disclaimer at the top of the site that reads:
We do our best to maintain this comprehensive list, but if you see something that needs updated, please let us know by using the “Contact Us” button.
You can access the full list of resources compiled by the Ashland County Health Department here.
