Community Services of Starke County Offers Summer Cool Program

Posted on Author WKVI
Community Services of Starke County
Community Services of Starke County

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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200 Attend Victorian High Tea

Posted on Author WKVI
Ed Hasnerl gets ready to emcee the Victorian High Tea

Over 200 people attended the Victorian High Tea yesterday at the Knox Community Center. The event was held to raise money for the Starke County Food Pantry housed at Community Services of Starke County. Lois Bock and Debbie Popagain helped develop the activities.

Joan Haugh, the Director of Community Services of Starke County, commented on the turnout.

“I’m so impressed with the 35 ladies who put this together,” said Haugh. “The decorations are just fabulous. And as I’ve always said, if you’re going to have a fundraiser make it fun.”

We asked about the food pantry.

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Starke United Annual Meeting Scheduled for Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke United

The Starke United Annual Meeting will be held this evening at the Community Services of Starke County building. The event is being sponsored by IU Health Starke Hospital.

Executive Director Julie Dessauer will give a review of 2011, including a report of the campaign total. Testimonials will be given by Rhonda Adcock of CASA and Barbara Miller of Community Services. An announcement of distribution will also be made.

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Victorian High Tea Planned for April 26

Posted on Author WKVI

A Victorian High Tea is being planned by local residents looking to combine a fun afternoon and support a worthy cause at the same time. Proceeds from the event will be given to the Community Services of Starke County’s food pantry.

The event will be held at the Knox Community Center on Thursday, April 26th, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A brunch will be provided by Christo’s Family Dining and served by local celebrities. A silent auction will be held, along with other entertainment, elegant decorations, drawings, and a free gift for all attendees. All tickets must be purchased in advance as no tickets will be sold at the door.

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More Funds Received to Help Starke County Residents with Heating Bills

Posted on Author WKVI
Community Services of Starke County
Community Services of Starke County

Community Services of Starke County has received additional funds to help low income families pay home heating bills.

If you have already received assistance this heating season from November 2011 to today, no additional funds are available for you. Applications for this new funding will only be accepted for those that will be applying for the first time this heating season in Starke County.

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Emergency Management Workshop Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Community Services of Starke County
Community Services of Starke County

The Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry considers itself blessed by all the generous donations from the community, but Director Joan Haugh says keeping the pantry stocked with food is an ongoing struggle and, as always, they need donations of paper products, dish soap, laundry detergent, and shampoo– things that cannot be purchased with food stamps.

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Knox Kiwanis Baskets to be Delivered Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Members of the Knox High School National Honor Society and Student Council helped assemble the Christmas baskets

Since the 1970’s, the Knox Kiwanis Club has helped those in need with Christmas food baskets and yesterday, members of the Knox National Honor Society and the Student Council, plus North Judson and Knox Kiwanis members, helped assemble those baskets at Community Services of Starke County.

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WKVI/Five Star Food Drive Gathers over $1,000 in Donations

Posted on Author WKVI
Jerry Curtis and Pat Dunn helped the customers with their groceries during the food drive

The WKVI/Five Star Food Drive was a great success. Joan Haugh, Director of Community Services of Starke County, called with the totals yesterday morning. Over $1,000 was collected in cash donations, and that includes $500 from Five Star.

Joan said that over 300 pounds of food was collected during the five hour food drive. She said that she’s appreciative of the help and that food will help feed families in Starke County for the holiday season.

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Five Star/WKVI Food Drive a Success!

Posted on Author WKVI

Tom Berg and Nathan Welter discuss the food drive on the air.

The 2nd Annual WKVI/Five Star Food Drive was a success Saturday!  Several carts of food were donated from patrons in the community who helped make the holidays a little better for those in need this season.  Food and cash donations were accepted and totals will be announced next week.  Thank you to all who contributed and Happy Thanksgiving!   Continue reading →

WKVI/Five Star Food Drive this Saturday

Posted on Author WKVI

The 2nd Annual WKVI/Five Star Food Drive will be held Saturday, November 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Five Star in Knox.

We will be broadcasting live during that time and we will be accepting donations for the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry. Five Star has some good deals this week so stop in the store and buy a couple of extra items and donate them to the food pantry. You may also make cash donations.

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Community Services of Starke County Named Agency of the Year

Posted on Author WKVI
Cecilia Torres-Bowman (L) receives the Agency of the Year award from the Food Bank of Northern Indiana

The Community Services of Starke County was recently chosen Agency of the Year.

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana recently presented a plaque to Community Services of Starke County Program Coordinator, Cecilia Torres-Bowman.

Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry currently serves over 250 families a month, a huge jump from serving 150 families in January of 2010. The pantry has matched the government commodities by 240% in 2011 and has been able to operate the food pantry through the generous donation of time and labor from volunteers.

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Starke County Food Bank Gets Donation from Economy Auto Sales

Posted on Author WKVI
George Mammarella and Joan Haugh

George Mammarella from Economy Auto Sales in Knox presented Community Services of Starke County Executive Director, Joan Haugh, with a donation of $1,200 for the Food Bank. As part of Economy Auto’s September customer appreciation month, George and Della Mammarella pledged a $30 donation for each vehicle financed during the month. 40 vehicles qualified for the donation.

Community Services of Starke County Receives Starke United Grant Funds

Posted on Author WKVI
Community Services of Starke County
Community Services of Starke County

Starke United’s Board has approved the reallocation of funds to enable Community Services to provide the matching funds for 125 meals to the homebound elderly, matching funds for 133 hours of homemaker service to the elderly and disabled and for the preparation and printing of the Starke County Resource Directory. The Starke United Board also approved $1,500 for the food pantry in July after allocating $2,500 for the pantry in April.

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TV Stolen from Community Services of Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI
Suspect(s) broke a window to gain entry into Community Services of Starke County

Knox City Police officers are investigating a break-in at the Community Services of Starke County building in Knox.

Police say that some unknown subject(s) broke a window on the south side of the building and gained entry. The subject(s) then removed a 42 inch flat screen TV from the building and that was the only item reported stolen. No other damage was reported. Police were called to the scene Thursday morning at 7:20 a.m. but it is believed the incident happened late Wednesday evening or in the early morning hours on Thursday. Evidence was secured at the scene.

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