Compassion fuels food-drive effort in Beaver Township

By VIRGINIA ROSS SHANK

Several people giving a little can make a big difference, the president of the South Range Council of Churches said.

NORTH LIMA — Volunteers at the South Range Council of Churches and Community Food Pantry are quick to explain the difference a couple of cans of food or a few dollars can make to area families.

Nancy Valentine, council president, said that with donations from just a few individuals or groups, the council is able to feed more families than people might expect.

“We rely on our donations and the people faithful to continue helping us,” Valentine said. “We’re very thankful for what our community gives to help families in need.”

On Saturday, area residents will have a chance to make a difference to the dozens of families served by the food pantry during a communitywide food-collection drive. Between 10 a.m. and noon, volunteers will be available at three locations in Beaver Township to collect nonperishable food items. The locations are the Beaver Township Nature Preserve parking lot on Route 165, Woodworth Park on Luther Avenue between Market Street and Southern Boulevard, and the South Range Plaza, where the township administration office is, at Routes 164 and 165.

Food will be collected rain or shine, said Scott Conway, township park administrator. The township parks department and churches association are working together to conduct the food drive.

“Anyone wanting to donate can easily drop by any of the collection sites and drop the food off,” Conway said. “We’ll have volunteers waiting to help them. We have a great community here, and many of our families have been hit hard financially by recent events. If we all work together and help each other, we can all get through it a lot easier. It’s important to show we care.”

Valentine said it doesn’t require one person giving a lot, but several people giving a little to make a difference. For example, with a monetary donation of $25, the council is able to buy 250 pounds of food from the Second Harvest Food Bank in Austintown, where much of the food is purchased. That is enough food to feed three families for a month, Valentine said.

“When you put the monetary donations people make, no matter how small, with the donations of food, we can help a lot of people,” she said.

Valentine said the food pantry, located at Mount Olivet United Church of Christ at 410 West South Range Road, was established in 1971 and is staffed by 25 volunteers. Eleven area churches support the pantry, which supplies food to more than 100 families each month.

Food distribution for residents of Beaver and Green townships is the fourth Monday of every month. For that distribution, clients must provide proof of income and residency. Eligibility is based on USDA income guidelines.

Wednesday afternoon distributions throughout the month are open to anyone with a need, Valentine said. Clients are not required to provide proof of residency or income on Wednesdays.

XFood donations may be made at Mount Olivet Church. Monetary contributions may be mailed to P.O. Box 24, North Lima, OH 44452. For more information, contact Mount Olivet Church at (330) 549-2169.