Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Ohio HEAP, PIPP, and Other Utility Assistance Programs 2014

The winter heating season is rapidly approaching, and there are a number of helpful programs for individuals and families who are concerned about managing their utility bills over the coming months.

The HEAP, E-HEAP, and PIPP Plus programs assist individuals and families who meet income and other guidelines by providing a credit on electric and natural gas bills or by reducing the monthly payment for those utilities to a small percentage of household income.  

For more information on these programs, contact Akron Summit Community Action at 330-253-8806 or 330-376-7730.

Families experiencing financial difficulties who are interested in stretching their heating dollar as far as possible should also certainly consider investigating the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) and the Electric Partnership Program (EPP).

HWAP is a no cost program that helps households reduce their energy expenses by providing weatherization of homes, safety inspections, and tune-ups of heating units.  In addition to home owners, individuals who rent their homes can also participate with the permission of the landlord/owner of the property.  According to the Ohio Development Services Agency, participants often reduce their energy consumption by 13-25 percent, depending on whether their heat is produced by electricity or natural gas.  Participants in HWAP also reduced their rate of utility disconnections by 50%.  

For more information in the HWAP Program in Summit County, contact Leeann Gillenwater, Control Specialist at Summit County Public Health, 330-643-2537.

For more information on HWAP:

EPP is another program designed to help households reduce energy costs by providing free compact flourescent light bulbs and even a new, free, Energy Star refrigerator or freezer as well as consumer education on energy efficient practices for those who qualify.  

For more information on EPP, contact East Akron Neighborhood Development at 330-773-2095.  

Individuals who live, work, or worship in Hudson, Ohio are welcome to contact the Community Resource Coordinator for assistance in determining their eligibility for these programs and also assistance with completing the applications.  Call Kristin Keller, LSW, at 330-650-4048 ext. 463.

If you'd like to get help determining eligibility and completing the applications on your own online from the Ohio Benefit Bank, get started by clicking here or go to www.ohiobenefits.org.


BROCHURES and FORMS:









Source:  Summit County Public Health, Ohio Development Services Agency, Akron Summit Community Action, East Akron Neighborhood Development Progam

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Hudson Women's Retreat For Those Affected By Divorce or Separation

All women of Hudson churches who are in the process of separating, divorcing or who are divorced are invited to join us for a one-day retreat to help rebuild and balance life by using spiritual, emotional, financial, and intellectual tools toward health and wellness.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. (includes lunch)

St. Mary Parish (340 North Main Street, Hudson, Ohio)

Please send your name, phone number and e-mail address plus a $15 registration fee to the St. Mary Parish Office by Monday, September 22 at noon. For more information, please contact Brenna (icbailey@aol.com) or Rose (rgordyan@stmaryhudson.cc)



Source:  St. Mary Parish/Hudson Ministerial Assoc.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Free School Supplies Giveaways - Akron Area Fall 2014

Bryant and Stratton College
August 16th, 2014 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm.
Free backpacks filled with school supplies, haircuts for boys, gift cards for haircut/hairstyle for girls, raffles for gift cards for various stores, music, inflatables, game truck
First come, first served (while supplies last)
190 Montrose West Avenue
Akron, OH 44321
(330) 598-2500

Catholic Charities Community Services of Summit County
August 2014, Call for intake, leave message with your contact information.
Provides 1-bag of free school supplies per student in grades K through 8th to qualifying low income families in Summit County.
(330) 475-0091 ext. 235

Compass North Church Back to School Bash
August 10, 2014 from noon-3pm
Food, games, inflatables, prizes, backpacks filled with supplies for kids in grades K through 8.
2445 South Arlington Road, Akron, OH 44319
330-644-1400

Emergency Assistance Center (Northern Summit County) 
Provides free, basic school supplies for qualifying students in zip codes 44056, 44067, 44087, 44236, 44264, and 44286. Call for appointment/application.
9199 Olde Eight Road, Suite C, Northfield, Ohio 44067
330-467-7945

Good Neighbors
By appointment on August 12-14 and August 19-21
Free back to school supplies for children.  Serves Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Munroe Falls and Stow residents. File must be up-to-date with the Emergency Food Line.  Call for appointment.
2253 Third Street
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
(330) 928-8057

Norton Community Church of the Nazarene
August 22 and 23 - call for information
Clothing ministry for school age children in 44203 zip code
1177 Norton Avenue, Norton, Ohio 44203
330-825-9353

Copley Outreach Center School Supplies Giveaway 
Tuesday August 19th, noon to 2:00pm
Register for assistance on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:00am to 2:00pm
Free school supplies for qualifying students in Copley-Fairlawn School District.  Call to register.
1502 South Cleveland Massillon Road, Copley, Ohio 44321-1908
330-665-3335

"I Know I Can" Back to School Drive & Community Resource Fair 
August 24th, noon - 5:00 pm
Free back packs and school supplies while they last, haircuts, manicures
Deon's Grooming Lounge
926 E. Tallmadge Ave, Akron Ohio
330-701-8327

Victory Life Church Annual Single Parent Fair
August 16 from 10am - 1pm
Backpacks, school supplies, and more.
3833 Hudson Drive, Stow, OH 44224 
(330)-929-6555

Source:  Infoline, Northeast Ohio Family Fun.com, individual agencies 

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Summit For Kids Akron 2014

5th Annual
SUMMIT FOR KIDS
Saturday, August 2, 2014

Parents and Kids are invited to attend the Summit for Kids family expo at the John S. Knight Center on Saturday, August 2, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. By bringing your child, you'll be giving him or her an entertaining and educational experience and helping to promote healthy development.

Plans for the day include fun activities, free back-to-school items and other giveaways, special guests and much more, all made possible by generous local organizations. Admission is free, and the list of attractions is still growing.




Source: Summitforkids.net

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Akron Area Farmer's Markets, Produce Perks, and Your Ohio Direction Card


Did you know you can use your Ohio Direction Card/SNAP/Food Assistance Benefits at many local farmer's markets in the Akron area?

Produce Perks are incentive tokens given to customers at participating farmers’ markets who use an Ohio Direction Card to purchase food.  Bring your card to the information booth at participating farm markets (see list below), and ask to withdraw an amount. The market or farm stand will then provide tokens for the transaction in addition to Produce Perks that can be spent on fruits and vegetables. There is a dollar-for-dollar match to every dollar spent (up to $10 per week per market) using an Ohio Direction Card. There is no minimum purchase amount to qualify.  Produce Perks are only good for purchasing fruits and vegetables.

The Ohio Farmer’s Market Senior Nutrition Program also provides coupons to older adults who qualify that can be used at some farmer's markets. See this link for more information and income limits.  To enroll in our area, contact:

Region 10b: Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne Counties
Area Agency on Aging, 10B, Inc.
Contact: Jill Riffle, (330) 899-5229


Local Farm Market Listing:

OD = Ohio Direction Card
PP = Produce Perks

Kent- Haymaker Farmers Market
Franklin Ave. & Summit Street
Saturdays 9am-1pm
OD: yes; PP: yes
Note: they call Produce Perks “Lettuce Loot”

Chagrin Falls- North Union Farmer’s Market
Bandstand at Triangle Park (North Main and North Franklin Streets)
Sundays 10am-1pm
OD: yes; PP: yes

Peninsula- Countryside Farmers Market at Howe Meadow
4040 Riverview Road
Saturdays, 9am-Noon
OD: yes; PP: yes
Note: they call Produce Perks “Carrot Cash”

Akron- Farmers Market at Highland Square
Conger Avenue and West Market Street
Thursdays 4-7pm
OD: yes; PP: yes
Note: they call Produce Perks “Carrot Cash”

Stow-Community Farmers Market
1567 Pilgrim Drive
Saturdays 9am-12:30pm
OD: yes; PP: no

Munroe Falls-Farmers Market
43 Munroe Falls Avenue
Tuesdays 3-6pm
OD: no; PP: no

Cuyahoga Falls-Farmers Market in the Falls
1201 Grant Avenue
Fridays 3-6pm
OD: no; PP: no

Twinsburg Farmers Market
2695 Creekside Commons Drive
OD: no; PP: no
Thursdays 3-6:30pm

Hudson Farmers Market
Ohio Routes 303 and 91
Saturdays 9am-12:30pm
OD: no; PP: no


Source:  Thanks to Carol Telesman, RN, MSN, for providing this list.