Starke County Food Pantry Gearing Up For Upcoming Events

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

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

Posted on Author WKVI
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

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

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

Posted on Author WKVI

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

Posted on Author WKVI

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on Author WKVI
A retirement party was held for Cecilia Torres-Bowman, pictured.

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

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

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

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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