Annual Starke County Community Health Fair Set for May 13

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Screenings and highly interactive health events will be the focus of the 4th annual Starke County Community Health Fair on Wednesday, May 13 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox.

The health information presented by physicians will range from preventative care for men and women to the importance of a good night’s sleep.

Free screenings and tests will be offered including body fat percentage, blood sugar for diabetes, strength and balance assessments, blood pressure, and a heel bone density test for osteoporosis. Those attending the event can sign up for a Heart Cart screening for $25.

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Leadership Starke County Class Graduates

Posted on Author WKVI
Members of the Leadership Starke County Class of 2014-2015 visit English Lake.
Members of the Leadership Starke County Class of 2014-2015 visit English Lake.

The Leadership Starke County class of 2014-2015 has graduated. The 15 participants spent the past nine months honing community leadership skills, building self-confidence and interacting with community leaders. The class included a student from each of the county’s three high schools. Members met one day per month at sites throughout the county and learned about local history, geography and culture, the local economy, government, education and social services. Strategic planning and service on boards were also covered. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Receives Funding Request from Community Services of Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI

Community Services of Starke CountyThe Knox City Council discussed a request for funding from Community Services of Starke County.

The city council anticipates this request each year and $500 was already included in the budget for this year. The organization helps residents with transportation and nutrition needs for the elderly. Residents who need assistance with food use the food pantry to feed their families.

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Habo Runkle Named Senior Volunteer of the Year

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Community Services of Starke County Board of Directors recently named the Senior Volunteer of the Year for 2015.

Habo Runkle of Knox was honored for her lifetime of service to help improve the quality of life in her community and her country.

Runkle recently retired from working as a nurse at the Golden Living Center in Knox. She helped residents at the facility for 18 years. Prior to that, Runkle served as a babysitter for many community families and drove a school bus for the Knox Community School Corporation for 16 years. Continue reading →

Smoke Detectors Available from Community Services of Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI

Smoke DetectorA local nonprofit agency has smoke detectors available for families in need of the potentially life-saving devices. Community Services of Starke County Executive Director Joan Haugh says a couple of recent fire fatalities got her to thinking.

“I just felt we could save a life or two if we made sure every home had a smoke alarm – a working smoke alarm or sometimes two. So we applied to State Farm because they had a safety grant, and they awarded me some funds to purchase smoke detectors,” Haugh said. Continue reading →

Community Services of Starke County Seeking Volunteer of the Year Nominees

Posted on Author WKVI

Community Services of Starke CountyNominations are now open for the 2015 Community Services of Starke County Volunteer of the Year. Nominees must be Starke County residents over the age of 60. They will be judged upon life achievements, volunteer work and civic contributions. The Community Services of Starke County board will review the nominations and decide the winner. The volunteer of the year will be named at the semi-annual volunteer luncheon on April 16. Continue reading →

Community Services of Starke County Accepts Timely Donation

Posted on Author WKVI

Monsanto CheckThe Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry will be able to assist even more families in need, thanks to a timely contribution. Ed and Deb Troike were selected as the Starke County winners in the Monsanto Foundation’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities program. As the winners, they chose the organization to receive a $2,500 donation from America’s Farmers Grow Communities and the Monsanto Fund. Continue reading →

Economy Auto Donates to Starke County Food Pantry

Posted on Author WKVI

Economy-Auto-Food-DriveA successful Starke County business owner gives back to the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry. Economy Auto in Knox collected food and donations from customers during the month of January. Owner George Mammarella recently presented Community Services of Starke County Executive Director Joan Haugh a check for $1,000 from the business along with $68 from a donation can at the business and several totes of food given by customers. Haugh says cash and nonperishable food donations to the Starke County Food Pantry are always welcome.

 

Fight for Public Transportation Funds Goes to Legislature

Posted on Author WKVI

Public transportation offered by Community Services of Starke County, Pulaski County Human Services and Marshall County Council on Aging is in high demand. Funding to keep up with the demand has caused legislators to get involved.

The Public Mass Transportation Fund has not received any additional money for seven years. The funding is distributed among 65 public and nonprofit agencies that offer transportation by reservation or on-demand. According to Joan Haugh, Executive Director of Community Services of Starke County, officials there have to turn down requests for trips due to lack of drivers, vehicles and available money. Last year, 757 different individuals were transported which shows a need for funding to provide a community service. About 50 passenger trips are provided each day.

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Gleaners Ober Arbor Club Buys Cabinets for Senior Center

Posted on Author WKVI

Ober Arbor Don 2014The Community Services of Starke County North Judson Senior Center site has new cabinets, thanks to the generosity of the Gleaners Ober Arbor Club. Members recently donated $1,249 to the agency to buy new upper cabinets. That’s in addition to a donation of $1,250 earlier this year for lower cabinets. Gleaners members Arlene Sellers and Ellen Stevenson presented the check to site manager Laura Mihalich, Community Services of Starke County Executive Director Joan Haugh and treasurer Frank Skronski.

WKVI Hosts Successful Fifth Annual Food Drive

Posted on Author WKVI
WKVI's Nathan Welter, Mitch Columbe, Mary Perren and Pulaski County Human Services Executive Director Jacki Frain with some of the food collected at Sanders Foods during the fifth annual WKVI Food Drive.
WKVI’s Nathan Welter, Mitch Columbe, Mary Perren and Pulaski County Human Services Executive Director Jacki Frain with some of the food collected at Sanders Foods during the fifth annual WKVI Food Drive.

WKVI’s Fifth Annual Food Drive on Saturday was a rousing success. Tom Berg and Tony Ross collected items and donations at Five Star for the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry, while Nathan Welter, Mitch Columbe and Mary Perren did the same at Sanders in the Winamac Plaza. Items collected there went to the Pulaski County Human Services Food Pantry. They include 5,200 pounds of food and $1,392.49. Galbreath employees brought two vehicles full of food, weighing 3,000 pounds, and the Winamac Community High School Football Team also gave generously. After the drive was over, the WKVI staff helped unload the items at Pulaski County Human Services, where they will be sorted and distributed to families in need. Continue reading →

Fill the Food Pantries During Hunger Action Month

Posted on Author WKVI
Food Pantry
 

September is hunger action month. It’s a time to help fellow community members who are hungry.

One in five children go hungry everyday and more older adults are utilizing food pantries for their needs. Volunteers at area food pantries are doing what they can to assist families in times of need and the best way you can help is to donate.

Both food pantries in Starke County and in Pulaski County are in need of canned soups, canned fruits and vegetables, boxed cereals, pancake mixes, syrup, peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, and pasta and sauces. Other items needed include toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, diapers, feminine products, dish soap, laundry soap, and body soap.

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Fresh Produce Vouchers Available for Seniors

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Free vouchers are now available to area residents 60 years of age and older to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Northwest Indiana Community Action Agency is working with the Indiana State Health Department in hosting this year’s Senior’s Farmer’s Market Voucher Program. This program provides up to $20 in vouchers for seniors to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmer’s markets and food stands.

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Starke County Community Foundation Gives Generously to Local Organizations

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A number of charitable organizations are on the receiving end of more than $40,000 in grants from the Starke County Community Foundation. The gifts are made possible through the foundation’s endowment fund, which is supported by gifts to the SCCF. The money is invested. Each year some of the interest goes back into the fund to help it grow, while some is given locally in the form of scholarships and grants. Continue reading →

Starke County Commissioners Give to Community Services

Posted on Author WKVI

Community Services of Starke CountyThe Starke County Commissioners this week approved a $10,000 appropriation to Community Services of Starke County. Executive Director Joan Haugh says the money the nonprofit agency gets from the county each year helps meet the matching requirements for various federal government grants they receive. This year the agency is using the county money for the homemaker and meal programs. Continue reading →

Summer Cooling Program Begins July 1

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The summer cool program is about to begin.

Community Services of Starke County, Pulaski County Human Services, Inc., and North Central Community Action Agencies, Inc. will accept applications starting July 1. Residents must bring in income information for the past year for each member of the household, a current utility bill, a lease if the home is rented, and a social security card for each household member. New applicants may start calling June 23 to schedule an appointment for July. The program will run through Aug. 15.

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