Community Services of Starke County – Page 6

Community Services of Starke County Recognizes Volunteer of the Year

May 23, 2013May 22, 2013WKVI

Ober Arbor Gleaners Club was presented with the Volunteer of the Year award by Community Services of Starke County.

Community Services of Starke County held its volunteer luncheon yesterday afternoon, recognizing more than 100 volunteers and 50 agencies for their many hours of hard work and their overwhelming contributions to the agency.

One organization in particular was recognized for going above and beyond with their assistance to Community Services. Ober Arbor Gleaners Club received the Volunteer of the Year award, having donated to the food pantry, helped pay for the air conditioner at Community Services, assisted at Golden Living Nursing Home and the Humane Society, Love INC, and countless individuals.

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Starke County Triad Places Drop Box at Starke County Sheriff’s Department

May 14, 2013May 14, 2013WKVI

Starke County Chief Deputy Brack Rowe and Joan Haugh, Executive Director for Community Services of Starke County place unused medications in the newly-installed and secured pill drop box located at the Starke County Sheriff's Office entry. — Starke County Chief Deputy Brack Rowe and Joan Haugh, Executive Director for Community Services of Starke County place unused medications in the newly-installed and secured pill drop box located at the Starke County Sheriff’s Office entry.

A new secured drop box for unwanted prescription medication has been placed in the lobby at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.

Starke County Triad raised funds to purchase a permanent drop box for residents who would like to dispose of their unwanted, unused and expired prescription medications. Those medications can be placed in the box at any time at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department on Pearl Street.

No liquid medications or needles will be accepted.

Community Services of Starke County plans on applying to the Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County for a pill drop box for the North Judson Police Department as well. The Knox City Police Department has a secured and monitored pill drop box in the department’s lobby and you are able to drop-off medications 24 hours a day and seven days a week at that location.

May is Older Americans Month

May 2, 2013May 1, 2013WKVI

Community service organizations throughout the area are celebrating Older Americans Month throughout the month of May, and Pulaski County Human Services as well as Community Services of Starke County have events planned to recognize older Americans and their impacts on the community. Joan Haugh, director of Community Services of Starke County, said the month honors seniors and makes an effort to inform them of the services available for their aid.

“As most people know, May has always been known as Older Americans Month, and this probably started way back in 1965, and it is just an opportunity to recognize seniors for all the value that they give to our community and try and make sure they realize where services that can improve their lives,” said Haugh.

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IU Health Starke Hospital, Community Services Partner for Heath Fair

April 23, 2013April 22, 2013WKVI

IU Health Starke Hospital and Community Services of Starke County are teaming up to host a health fair Friday afternoon at the Knox Community Center at 55 E. Lake St. Members of the hospital staff will offer several free screenings, including blood pressure, blood sugar, osteoporosis, oral cancer and take-home screening kits to check for colorectal cancer. Attendees will also get a free gift, and refreshments will be available. The Community Health Fair will take place Friday from 2 until 7 p.m. CDT. WKVI will also be broadcasting live, so stop by and see us. If you would like more information about the fair, call 800-235-6204 ext. 2415.

Demotte State Bank Accepting Food Pantry Donations

April 10, 2013April 9, 2013WKVI

In response to the Starke County Food Pantry’s need for donations, Demotte State Bank is holding a food drive at their Knox location to show their support for Community Services of Starke County’s most popular service. Community Services Director Joan Haugh told the Knox City Council in February that roughly 951 families per month visit the food pantry, and they need the help of the community to keep their shelves stocked.

Candice Miller of Demotte State Bank said the bank will be accepting donations during their regular business hours, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

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Starke County Food Pantry Asking for Donations

April 9, 2013April 8, 2013WKVI

The Starke County Food Pantry is once again asking for the community to show their support for those less fortunate by donating any number of items to the pantry, alleviating some of the stress for low-income Starke County families who may have a hard time getting food on the table. In February, Organization Director Joan Haugh told the Knox City Council that the organization serves 21 percent of the county’s population through its various services: 951 families per month visit the food pantry, 823 people utilize transportation monthly, 745 families signed up for energy assistance, and many more make use of other services offered by Community Services.

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Community Services of Starke County Suffering Funding Woes

February 21, 2013February 20, 2013WKVI

While donations have been steadily coming in to the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry, Organization Director Joan Haugh said other programs offered by the organization are suffering from a lack of funding. Haugh told the county council this week that they are incurring further reductions in funding from both the state and federal government, primarily affecting their transportation program.

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DHS, FEMA Award Starke County With Emergency Food and Shelter Funds

November 29, 2012November 28, 2012WKVI

The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA have awarded Starke County with $11,412 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The Starke County Emergency Food and Shelter Board will determine how the funds will be distributed among the programs within the county that are run by local service agencies in the area.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Joan Haugh at Community Services of Starke County at (574) 772-7070 for an application. Completed applications must be received by Dec. 17 at 4 p.m.

WKVI/Five Star Food Drive a Success!

November 17, 2012November 19, 2012WKVI

Joan Haugh and Jack from Five Star — Jack from Five Star gives Joan Haugh a check for $500 for the food pantry

The WKVI/Five Star food drive for the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry was held Saturday at Five Star and it was a success. The boy and girl scouts in North Judson also helped get donations for the food drive.

Several carts were loaded with food items and several cash donations were made. Community Services of Starke County Director Joan Haugh said it greatly helps the food pantry. Continue reading →

Starke County Food Pantry Gearing Up For Upcoming Events

October 24, 2012October 24, 2012WKVI

The season of giving is on its way and the Starke County Food Pantry is once again receiving a decent amount of donations, but Community Services of Starke County Director Joan Haugh emphasized that their other programs are in need of help as well.

“People are so generous. They give to our food pantry, but they kinda forget we have these other needs too. In order for us to continue, we have to raise those dollars. I don’t know what we’d do without the generosity of individuals and agencies and businesses, and I can say the township trustees too; city of Knox, the county commissioners, they give us funds too which helps support our programs,” said Haugh.

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2012 Safe at Home Event Makes Starke County Safer

October 9, 2012October 9, 2012WKVI

David Hyatt installs smoke detector in a home in Starke County

Fifty volunteers spread out across Starke County this weekend during the first Safe at Home event, sponsored by Northwest Indiana Community Action, Community Services of Starke County, and IU Health Starke Hospital. The volunteers traveled to 14 homes where the occupants were in need of some help with home repair and yard work, including ramp repairs, handrail and grab-bar installation, smoke detectors testing and installation, and various yard work.

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers and North Judson Town Board President Wendy Hoppe also assisted in the endeavor, and IU Health Starke Hospital President and CEO David Hyatt said he was overjoyed to see so many of his colleagues donating their precious time for such a worthwhile cause. He said making Starke County a safer place is at the core of the hospital’s mission statement.

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SCILL Center “Food for Friends” Car Check Announced

October 5, 2012October 4, 2012WKVI

The SCILL Center will be partnering with WKVI and First Farmer’s Bank on Oct. 16 and 18 to present the “Food for Friends” Car Check.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry. Bring in one can or package of food to the SCILL Center and receive a free pre-winter inspection from SCILL Center students. This inspection will include an anti-freeze, battery, belt, and tire wear check. Attendees will also receive coupons from local auto supply stores.

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IU Health’s Safe at Home Event Planned For Saturday

October 3, 2012October 2, 2012WKVI

Come show your support for the volunteers that will be helping 15 local seniors move into their new homes on Saturday. IU Health will be partnering with Northwest Indiana Community Action Corporation and Community Services of Starke County for the Safe at Home project.

This project is designed to help seniors with low income own their own home and provide them with the basic necessities and safe surroundings that they need.

The event will be held on Saturday at IU Health’s billing center located at 11 S. Main St. in Knox. The event will begin at 8 a.m. CT.

Enrollment Open For Energizing Indiana Home Assessments

August 20, 2012August 20, 2012WKVI

Energizing Indiana is now offering residential home energy assessments as a smart approach to improve the comfort of Hoosier homes. The assessments can lower energy bills, improve in-home air quality, and increase the value of the home overall.

According to Energizing Indiana, their advisors will guide participants step-by-step through the process to produce long-term, cost-effective energy savings by analyzing energy use and recommending appropriate efficiency measures. Further, they will install several low-cost energy-saving measures, and even assess the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems to determine if they are operating efficiently. Air duct sealing, insulation levels, and more may also be inspected to evaluate the home’s energy consumption and heating and cooling efficiency.

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Tough Decision In Future For Starke County TRIAD

August 3, 2012August 2, 2012WKVI

The Starke County TRIAD has a tough decision before them regarding the fate of the organization. TRIAD Treasurer Joan Haugh says they will soon decide whether to disband the organization entirely or join the LaPorte County TRIAD, and she says members appear to be leaning toward disbanding.

Haugh says that even if the organization is discontinued, many programs and services offered by the agency would fall on the shoulders of Community Services of Starke County. She says the File of Life program and Beacon Flashers program would continue, and Community Services would still provide seniors with advice about the latest scams and frauds. She says they would also work with the Starke County Environmental Management Agency and the DEA in establishing pill drops throughout the year.

While some members of TRIAD have not yet voiced their votes on whether to disband or join LaPorte County, Haugh says they will likely make the decision at the agency’s next meeting.

For more information on TRIAD or Community Services, contact Haugh at (574) 772-7070.

Community Services of Starke County Will Not Replace Program Coordinator

July 30, 2012July 30, 2012WKVI

With the retirement of former Community Services of Starke County Program Coordinator Cecilia Torres-Bowman, the organization has been getting by but Executive Director Joan Haugh says it hasn’t been easy.

She says Torres-Bowman will not be replaced, and instead, her responsibilities have been divided up amongst other employees. Coordination of the resource manual, health equipment loan program, quality program, medicaid billing and prior authorization, and many duties of the food pantry have been pushed onto other employees. Haugh says they are fortunate to have an intern from Ivy Tech who has been putting forth a lot of effort with the organization.

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Torres-Bowman Announces Retirement From Community Services of Starke County

June 29, 2012June 29, 2012WKVI

Cecilia Torres-Bowman has retired from Community Services of Starke County after dedicating 20 years of her life to the organization. She says she’s done a little bit of everything while there.

“For almost 20 years, I’ve done a little bit of everything – mostly with the food pantry and the Energy Assistance Program,” said Torres-Bowman. “I also lent out health equipment and the resource manuals, so there have been quite a few things I’ve been doing.”

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Bit Of Burden Alleviated For Starke County Food Pantry

June 21, 2012June 20, 2012WKVI

Community Services of Starke County Program Director Cecilia Torres-Bowman says the food pantry has been doing a good job of holding its own this summer, thanks in part to regular donations from the community and the presence of mobile food pantries that have been visiting the area.

While there are no fundraisers planned for the immediate future, the food pantry’s shelves are fairly stocked thanks to regular donations. Torres-Bowman says the heat has also played a part in lowering demand from the pantry.

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Community Services of Starke County Offers Summer Cool Program

June 6, 2012June 18, 2020WKVI

If you signed up for the winter energy assistance program and need help with cooling assistance this summer, the Summer Cool Program through Community Services of Starke County will provide an additional $65 toward your electric bill.

Air conditioners will be available on a first come, first served basis this summer to current and new members, if you qualify. You must meet three requirements to be eligible for the air conditioner installation program. You must be financially eligible based on the income guidelines for the program, you must have a residing member that is elderly or if you have a child under the age of six and have a verified medical requirement for an air conditioner. Air Conditioner Certification affidavit forms are available at Community Services of Starke County and must be completed by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

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Starke Commissioners Receive Annual Community Services Report

May 8, 2012May 8, 2012WKVI

The Starke County Commissioners this week received an annual report from Community Services of Starke County’s Joan Haugh, who informed them that the organization has assisted 25 percent of the population of Starke County through transportation and other services.

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