Community Services of Starke County Treasurer Mark Rippy presented a brief update of operations to the Starke County Commissioners last week.
He noted that the organization has been in the community since 1977 where they assist the county’s older population, help those in the community with food needs with the food pantry, and aid those who need it with energy assistance.
Community Services of Starke County has six full-time employees, 11 part-time employees and over 20 volunteers. The organization’s board consists of 15 members.
Rippy said COVID-19 required the organization to make adjustments to the number of staff members, but they still continue to serve residents with transportation needs and food pantry assistance.
He also discussed the Starke County Government Mobile Food Delivery Program and why Community Services of Starke County wasn’t contacted to help with delivery. Commissioner Kathy Norem explained that the program was put together rather quickly and the mission was to feed people quickly and to help local restaurants who needed the business.
Auditor Rachel Oesterreich noted that Community Services of Starke County was contacted, but was told the vans would not be available for the delivery and it involves too much paperwork that they have to submit for their organizational funding. Volunteers were available, but they would have to use their own personal vehicles.
Rippy said he was advocating for Community Services of Starke County just to ensure that the organization is available to assist the residents of Starke County.
Later in the meeting, the commissioners reviewed an agreement between Community Services of Starke County and the county for $10,000. Commissioner Norem noted that the county gives the organization that money every year without an agreement and it’s a gift. A motion to deny signing the agreement was unanimously approved along with the denial of that claim for the time being.
