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On June 30, a community gardens effort was completed for the senior residents of Clinton Commons I & II located on Thorne Avenue in Wilmington.   There are currently 10 separate garden boxes that the residents will be able to use for an assortment of home grown fruits and vegetables.

“This will be a great opportunity for the residents to work on a project that will affect many in the local community,” said Clinton County Community Action Housing Manager, Jane Newkirk.  “With the hard times that everyone has been going through, this is a perfect way to provide quality food at an affordable cost.”

The whole effort has been a collaboration of both young and old.  The senior residents and youth from the Summer Youth Employment Training Program provided by The Department of Job and Family Services have worked together to make this garden possible.  In addition to this, Wilmington College Professor Monte Anderson has spent many hours volunteering to help with the planning and implementing of the gardens.

“It has been great to see the team work that has been shown in order to bring this project together,” said Newkirk.

Though this project got a bit of a late start in the growing season, there are still plans to take full advantage of the time that is left and prepare for the next year.  The residents are very excited of things to come and are looking forward to reaping the benefits of their hard work.

Beginning July 1, 2010, residents of Clinton County can apply for help paying their summer energy bills.

The Home Energy Assistance Program’s Summer Crisis Program operates in Ohio from July 1 to August 31 or until funds are exhausted.

This program is critical for residents who need help staying cool during extreme temperatures, and Community Action can help by providing payment assistance on air conditioning to eligible families.

The Summer Crisis Program is designed to assist low-income households with an elderly member (60 or older) or a documented medical need for air conditioning. Each household is eligible for up to $175 in payment assistance. Households must also be living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Line ($44,100 for a family of four).

If you would like more information including all income guidelines please call our office at 937-382-8365.

Starting immediately the Food Pantry has enhanced the way food boxes are being passed out. Now you will begin receiving more food for the amount of members living in the household. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, stop in our office or call 937-382-8365 to receive help.

United Way of Clinton County receives community relief from far off places.

Wilmington, OH – December 23, 2009 – Christmas came early for the Clinton County Community and it wasn’t delivered in a sleigh but on a jet from New York City.  Philanthropist, Ross Dworman watched the 60 Minutes follow up on the DHL pullout Sunday and was moved by the hardships facing this community.  On Monday, a call was made to the United Way of Clinton County and a challenge was issued that Mr. Dworman would donate $25,000 but he was looking to make a big impact with local matching funds.  Once again the Wilmington community stepped up to help take care of itself.  Through the generosity of local companies that include Cincinnati/Dayton Kroger Company, TimberTech, LTD., Generations Pizzeria, Babb Heating & Cooling, Dr. Tom Matrka & Dr. Janet Gick, plus the United Way of Clinton County $50,000.00 will be available to provide food to the Clinton County Community.

The funds generated will be in the form of Kroger Gift Cards that in turn, will be used in a pilot program with Clinton County Community Action Food Bank to provide supplement groceries.  This gift cards are in the addition to the food baskets already provided.  This service affects nearly 1,000 people on a monthly basis and will make an impact on the health of this community for approximately six months if the service levels stay the same. 

“Christmas is the time of miracles and Mr. Dworman has provided a miracle to our community and has also made all of us realize that generosity starts as home and the local businesses that provided this match are to be commended.  Many of these companies are feeling the effects of our high levels of unemployment but still found the ability to ensure that the citizens of Clinton County will have food on their tables through the cold months of the year when it become increasingly difficult to afford to feed their families due to higher living costs.”  According to Kym Cooper Parks, Executive Director of the United Way of Clinton County.

The gift card program will start working in Clinton County today.  Mr. Dworman and his family will be traveling to Wilmington to hand out the first cards at the Community Action Food Bank at 789 N. Nelson Ave., in Wilmington.

“We are proud to partner with these fine organizations in an effort to provide support to our neighbors in Wilmington,” Said Geoff Covert, President of Kroger’s Cincinnati/Dayton Division.  “Fighting hunger in our community is one of the highest priorities of the Kroger Co.,” continues Mr. Covert, “We appreciate the commitment organizations like the Clinton County Community Action Food Bank have to helping families have meals, not just during the holiday season but year long.”

The United Way of Clinton County is accepting additional donations to help support this program and 32 other local charities that provide food, clothing, shelter, mental health assistance, and education.  These grants are awarded annually from donations made by businesses and citizens of Clinton County Community leading to its goal of making an impact by our community helping itself.  Donations can be made at the local United Way office at 31 W Main St., Wilmington, Oh.

Contact:

Kym Cooper Parks

31 W Main St.

Wilmington, Oh 45177

937.383.4846

kparks@unitedway-clinton.org

On August 14, Kroger presented Clinton County Community Action with a check for $5,000.  The check is being put towards the food pantry to help fight hunger in the community.  Kroger has been in Wilmington for more than 75 years.  The company continues to see fighting hunger as a top priority and this donation shows that to be the case.

Click To View Annual Report 

In March the Kroger Company made a donation of food valued at over $20k to the Clinton County Community Action Program, Inc.  The food will be utilized in the Emergency Food Pantry which is operated by Clinton County Community Action.

“Kroger had been part of the Wilmington community for more than 75 years.  We’ve been part of all the festivals, celebrations, and many good times in the community.  Now, our neighbors are facing difficult days and we’re sharing that with them, too”, said Eric Deel, manager of the Wilmington Kroger.  “This truckload of food will provide meals for many families who, right now, are struggling.  It is important for the Wilmington area to know that their friends at the Wilmington Kroger are here to help.  This is a wonderful, hard-working community and I know these folks will rebound and rebuild, but we are extending a hand to help them out a little on the way.”

Since the food donation in March, the Emergency Food Pantry has provided food to 565 households, which has brought food to the table for 1600 people.  We are very grateful to Kroger in helping us provide this great service to the community in Clinton County.