METRO DIGEST || Local chefs to offer sustainable food meals at Harvest of Hope benefit

Sustainable foods

north lima

Goodnews Grows ministry sponsors a Harvest of Hope benefit dinner from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Common Ground Church, 2310 W. South Range Road. Local chefs will feature seasonal foods from Mahoning Valley farmers. The event is designed to bring together people interested in addressing local hunger and poverty through sustainable agriculture. There will be a silent auction. Those attending will vote for the evening’s best chef and pick up recipes. Tickets are limited. Contact Greg Bowman, director, or Meagan Zeune, program director, at 330-549-9408 or by email to meagan@goodnessgrows.net.

Medicare checkup

columbiana

The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program of the state’s Department of Insurance will sponsor a free Medicare checkup at 10 a.m. Thursday at Columbiana County Senior Center, 600 E. Fourth St. The event will help people review changes in Medicare and determine their best coverage option for 2012. The session coincides with Medicare’s annual election period, which began Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. Those who have questions or need enrollment assistance, including financial help, should call OSHIP at 800-686-1578 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or Medicare at 800-633-4227, 24 hours a day. Information also is available at www.medicare.gov.

Bellringers needed

NEWTON FALLS

Salvation Army is asking for your help to ring the bells for the Holiday Kettle Campaign beginning Nov. 16 and every weekend until Christmas. Volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Only four people are needed to cover an entire day in two-hour shifts.

People who qualify by income from the 44444 ZIP-code area and Newton Township can get help from Salvation Army if the funds are there. The need is great, and 100 percent of the money collected stays in Newton Falls to help during the year with utility-bill shut-offs, prescriptions and many other items.

Three kettles will be set up at Shop N Save, Pamida and IGA. Volunteers also may sing, play an instrument or play compact discs of holiday music instead of ringing the bell as long as it is in good taste. Clubs and organizations may wear their club hats or insignia.

Call 330-872-5574 to be put on the schedule.

Election planned

youngstown

Officers will be elected when Brownlee Woods Neighborhood Association meets Friday at Faith Community Covenant Church, 1919 E. Midlothian Blvd. Refreshments will begin at 6 p.m., and the business meeting will follow at 6:30. The agenda also includes planning for the “Cocoa, Cookies and Caroling” event Dec. 9.

Councilman John R. Swierz will attend to address neighborhood issues.

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