Our Friends in the Media

We at the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks offices and our partner agencies completely understand all of the countless hours of diligent work that go into maintaining and expanding The Ohio Benefit Bank.

But it's nice when the press notices as well.

Please review the following media links. You will be very impressed by what you read.

Program connects citizens to assistance

By Kelly Mori, Staff Writer 5:57 PM Wednesday, August 11, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Every year, Ohio citizens miss out on about $1.7 billion in federal assistance because they either didn’t know they were eligible for help or they didn’t know how to access it. The Ohio Benefit Bank wants to put an end to that by spreading the word about its free benefits assistance program.


The agency hosted a luncheon on Wednesday, Aug. 11, to spread awareness about the free internet program that allows individuals to find out their eligibility for state and federal programs such as food, health care and home energy assistance as well as tax credits, Medicare Part D and Medicare premium assistance. Clark County has two Benefit Bank sites: Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio, 701 E. Columbia St., and St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 34 W. Pleasant St.

Last year Catholic Charities connected residents to nearly $500,000 in tax credits alone, Executive Director Keith Williamson told the 50 attendees at the event held at the Heritage Center of Clark County.

Since 2006, the OBB has connected Ohio residents to nearly $350 million dollars in benefits, said Charles Barber of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks. Those dollars not only help the individuals but are put back into the local economy.

With the help of a HealthPath Foundation of Ohio grant, the OBB is launching an awareness campaign which will include billboards and television ads. On Wednesday, HealthPath awarded Catholic Charities $2,500 to expand its local Benefit Bank outreach program.

For more information about the program or how to become a OBB site, visit www.obb.ohio.gov. or call 800-648-1176.

Web site address: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-news/program-connects-citizens-to-assistance-856096.html

**Note: This publicity comes from a Capacity Building event for The Ohio Benefit Bank put together by AmeriCorps*VISTA Rich Field in Springfield on Aug. 11. We applaud his outstanding efforts at getting a record-breaking attendance of 44 people as well as local press coverage. Excellent work, Rich!

___________________________________________________________________________________

Family Financial Fair to offer services, education

August 15, 2010

More than 20 financial and social service providers are coming together for the first Family Financial Fair Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kent State University. It will be on the second floor of White Hall, 150 Terrace Dr. in Kent.

Family & Community Services Inc. and the Strategies for Attaining Financial Empowerment have partnered with Chase Bank, Seven Seventeen Credit Union, U.S. Bank, and Record Publishing to bring this educational event to residents of Portage County and the surrounding area. Other contributing sponsors include Kent State University, United Way and PARTA.

In addition to the financial and social service providers' exhibits, there will be 12 educational breakout sessions and free on-site services for attendees. The breakout sessions will include topics like banking basics, credit management, retirement planning, financing a college education and tax savings programs.

The Ohio Benefit Bank will offer benefit screening for programs such as food assistance, medical and prescription assistance, child care assistance, home energy assistance and more.

Kent State will have staff from the financial aid office available to offer assistance to college- bound individuals and families filling out the FAFSA. Those who need help with FAFSA should bring the following: parent/student 2009 Federal Tax Return, W-2 forms, Social Security numbers, untaxed income information, child support, bank account balances, investment net worth, business records, and farm records.

The fair is free and open to the public. There is also free parking and free PARTA on Inter-Urban routes 31-34 during the event.

For more information, call Krissy Schoenfelder at 330-297-7027 ext. 351.

Web site address: http://www.fallsnewspress.com/news/article/4876903

**Note: The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks is always grateful when newspapers and other media outlets preview our community events. Thanks to The Falls News Press for making space for this brief preview.