HELPING NEIGHBORS IN THEIR TIME OF NEED
November 23, 2011
The News Leader
AGENCIES REPORT CONTINUED INCREASE IN THOSE SEEKING HELP
by Jeff Saunders | Reporter
Nordonia Hills -- With the holiday upon us, area aid organizations know more than anyone that many people are still struggling.
"I don't see any improvement at all," said Christina Ciryak, executive director of the Emergency Assistance Center, which provides temporary help for families in need.
"We still have over 200 families a month," said Ciryak. "I'm pretty sure it's up compared to last year."
Figures for last year were unavailable before press time, but the EAC reported it assisted 120 families per month in 2007, a figure that increased to about 165 in 2008 and more than 200 in 2009.
Ginny Bianco, secretary of the Family Resource Center at Northfield Baptist Church, said the center typically helps about 150 families a month, down by only a few families from last year.
Countywide, the number of those in need has increased when compared with last year, according to Pat Divoky, director of the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services.
Basd on figures provided by Divoky, the agency has about 2,000 more families in the food stamp program and about 2,000 more individuals in the Medicaid program than this time last year.
"I don't know what to attribute that to, other than people are coming off of unemployment benefits," she said.
According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, about 23,800 individuals were unemployed in September, for an unemployment rate of 8.1 percent. The rate in September 2010 was 9.1 percent, with an average of 28,900 unemployed for all of last year.
Divoky said about 43,000 families were on the food stamp program as of September and about 87,000 residents were on the Medicaid rolls as of July.
Ohio Works First, a temporary cash assistance program for low-income families, showed a decrease of about 1,100 eligible families in Summit County, but Divoky attributed this decline to more stringent federal eligibility enforcement.
LOCAL DONATIONS HELP
The EAC receives donations from a wide variety of community resources, including food drives by area schools, churches and organizations. The EAC is also providing Thanksgiving meals to all of its families, as well as seeking donations for its annual Christmas Adopt-A-Family program. It provides Christmas dinners and toys for a limited number of families within its program (see box for more information).
Bianco said the FRC also receives donations, but prefers cash. She said this is because the FRC receives almost all of its food from the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, which often charges a small fee.
"It's at a much lower cost that we would pay at a store," she said.
She said additional bakery items are donated by Giant Eagle in Northfield Center, Panera Bread in Macedonia and Starbucks in Brecksville.
Most non-food items, such as household items, are purchased at a Dollar Tree discount store in Streetsboro, which conducted a collection drive in September and October.
"They donated thousands of items," she said. "They were wonderful."
Michelle Hinton, a spokesperson for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, said the agency provides food to a large number of organizations, including those providing meals and "pantry programs," like the Family Resource Center.
The fee charged by the foodbank is 18 cents a pound for "shipping and handling" and amounts to a nearly 90 percent discount from grocery store costs.
Hinton said that as of Nov. 16, individuals sought help from foodbank's programs in eight counties about 782,000 times, up from 760,000 at the same time last year.
Since 2007, the food bank's distribution of food has gone from 12.9 million pounds to 19.2 million pounds last year.
"This year, we've seen, I think, a 3 percent increase, but I think the number has started to flatten," she said.
E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169
 

How to help those in need
November 23, 2011
The News Leader
How to help
The Emergency Assistance Center is in Summit Plaza on Route 8 in Northfield Village. The Family Resource Center is in Northfield Baptist Church's Ministry Center, just west of the church on the northwest corner of Route 82 and South Boyden Road in Sagamore Hills.
The EAC provides temporary help to families, usually six months at a time, as well as advice and referrals top other agencies, and is open by appointment from Mondays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The EAC accepts food, as well as non-food donations, including household and personal hygiene items, clothing and appliances, as well as money, which can be donated through the EAC's website. The EAC is also seeking donations of food and toys for its annual Christmas Adopt-A-Family program.
For more information, go to www.theemergencyassistancecenter.org, call 330-467-7945 or email info@TheEmergencyAssistanceCenter.org.
The Family Resource Center distributes items four times a month, the first and third Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and second and fourth Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The program is limited to Summit and Cuyahoga county residents. The FRC will distribute bags of food only on Dec. 17, then will be closed through January for restocking.
The FRC prefers cash donations, which can be dropped off at the church or at the Ministry Center during FRC hours. For more information, including eligibility requirements, email family.resource.center@northfieldbaptist.org or call 216-848-4082.

Firefighters collecting food for the needy
November 16, 2011
The News Leader
For the month of November, the Northfield Village Fire Department will be collecting
non-perishable and traditional holiday food items.
All items donated will be given to the Emergency Assistance Center to help families in the surrounding communities during these hard times. Drop off donations at the Northfield Village Fire Department,
10271 Northfield Road, between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
If firefighters are out, donations should be left in the foyer. For questions, call Richard James at 216-544- 9091.

AARP meets today, planning annual Christmas party
November 16, 2011
The News Leader
Nordonia Hills Chapter 5330 of the American Association of Retired Persons will meet
Nov. 16 at Northfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6768, at 2 p.m.
Note that this month's meeting, because of the Thanksgiving holiday, has been changed from the fourth Wednesday of the month to the third Wednesday. Post 6768 is at 8584 Olde Eight Road in Northfield Center.
Ioanno Giatis, Medical Director of Brentwood Health Care Center will present interesting tips for the flu season. Blood pressure readings will be available.
Guests are asked to bring questions and a friend. Refreshments will be served.
The Christmas season is quickly approaching and the chapter has been preparing a great Christmas party for members and guests on Dec. 14. The party will be at
La Casa Bella Party Center, 26383 Broadway Ave. in Oakwood, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A full luncheon will be served, with a cash bar, 50/50 raffle and door prizes.
Entertainment will be furnished by Ralph Szubski and his accordion. Those attending are invited to put on their dancing shoes, or plan to sing along.
Tickets are $18 for members and $20 for guests. Reservations should be paid at the Nov. 16 meeting or by calling Char at 440-232-0592 or Pearl at 330-467-1975 for more information.
In addition to the chapter's monthly support for the Emergency Assistance Center, a request has reached the chapter for donations of Christmas bakery items. The Center will package and distribute donations to those in need during the Christmas holiday. For more information, call Laverne at 330-467-3140, or Connie at 330-467-4882.

Chamber Chatter
October 26, 2011
The News Leader
by Laura Sparano, Nordonia Hills Chamber CEO
It's time again to show the love. The 2011 Community Holiday Party and Pick-a-Prize Auction will be Dec. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Greenwood Village Community Center, 830 Village Club Drive in Sagamore Hills. Admission is $5 plus five non-perishable foods. Please check expiration dates. To keep this event affordable to everyone, all attendees are asked to bring a dish to share. Last names beginning with an A to R, please bring an appetizer;
S to Z, please bring a dessert. Only finger foods please.
Auction items and corporate food donations are graciously accepted.
The bar will again be generously provided by FirstMerit Bank.
The Emergency Assistance Center giving tree will be on display with wish list items for area children.
Sponsorships are now being accepted.
* Spirit of the Season Sponsorship -- $500. Includes reserved table until 6 p.m., 200 prize tickets per sponsorship, logo link on website home page, three-minute commercial at Party, full-page ad in party program and sponsorship of one Emergency Assistance Center Adopt-A-Family.
* Sleigh Bell Sponsor -- $100. Includes reserved table until 6 p.m., 25 prize tickets per sponsorship and logo link on website.
* Jingle Bell Sponsor -- $50. Includes 10 prize tickets per sponsorship and logo link on website.
* Silver Bell Sponsor -- $25. Includes logo link on website
For more information, call Chairperson Bonnie Horsfall, Memories Made to Order, or the Chamber office, 330-467-8956.

Letter: Thanks for support of letter carrier's food drive
June 29, 2011
The News Leader
by Kim Base, Macedonia
The National Association of Letter Carriers held their annual food drive on May 14.
As the union steward for the letter carriers Local 40 at the Northfield/Macedonia Post Office staff at the Northfield Post Office appreciates all the donations from local families. Even amidst tough times,
our community showed that they care.
Thank you for all of the contributions and a special thanks to our local businesses for their donations: Arby's, Casa D'Angelo's, Chick-fil-A, Golden Coral, Guys Pizza, Pizza Hut, Romeo's Pizza, Stan's Bakery,
and the Emergency Assistance Center.

Nordonia Club meets Friday n The Nordonia Club
March 16, 2011
The News Leader
Nordonia Club meets Friday
n The Nordonia Club will meet March 18 at 12:30 p.m. at the Nordonia Hills Library in the Flora Fenton Room. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.
Pancake breakfast benefits Emergency Assistance Center
n The Emergency Assistance Center is hosting a pancake breakfast March 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eaton Estate Pavilion, 8413 Eaton Drive in Sagamore Hills.
The cost is $5 per person, which will include three pancakes, two sausages, coffee and orange juice. Children under 5 eat for free. The Emergency Assistance Center is in Summit Plaza in Northfield Village.

Emergency Assistance Center grateful for community support
February 23, 2011
The News Leader
Agency helped 50 families; gearing up for Easter holiday program
by Jeff Saunders | Reporter
Nordonia Hills — Nearly 50 area families in need had a merrier Christmas thanks to the generosity of local residents and organizations.
“It’s just businesses around the community and churches around the community and residents and schools around the area,” said Kelly Ward, coordinator with the Emergency Assistance Center in Northfield Village.
“We could never have done everything without the community. No way,” said Ward.
Ward said that the 49 families in the EAC’s holiday Adopt-a-Family program benefited.
“Each family in our program received a full Christmas meal,” she said.
In addition, Ward said, each of the 131 children in those families received a new donated gift, many of them toys.
Ward said the EAC is now “gearing up” for its Easter program when families will receive a full dinner, including a ham. Children 12 and under will receive a basket containing “age appropriate stuff” that, depending on what is donated, could include items like small toys, stuffed animals and books.
The EAC is in Summit Plaza off Route 8 and provides temporary emergency assistance, including food, advice and referrals to other agencies. Help is typically limited to six months, but extensions in some cases are possible. It is open by appointment Mondays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information or to donate, go to www.theemergencyassistancecenter.org or call 330-467-7945.
E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169

Get ready for annual networking party and auction
November 24, 2010
The News Leader
It's time again to show the LOVE! Reserve Dec. 7 for the NHCOC Annual Networking Party & Auction. This year the fun will be from 5 to 8 p.m. at Gambitta's Party Center in Northfield.
Admission is $5 plus five non-perishable foods (please check expiration dates).
First Merit Bank is sponsoring the mixed drinks again this year. All attendees are asked to ring a dish to share -- those with last names from A to H, please bring a dessert. All others, please bring an appetizer.
Pick-a-Prize auction items are now being collected in the Chamber Office. Please call our committee chair Jami Aquino (FirstMerit) or the Chamber Office regarding sponsorships (from $25 to $500) for donations.
The $500 and $100 level sponsorships include free raffle tickets and a reserved table for your group. All sponsorships include a logo link to your business. For more information on this event, see www.nordoniahillschamber.org/activities/holiday_party.htm.
I know the economy is bad, but this is the time to open your hearts to others whose need is greater.
The Chamber Holiday Party supports the Emergency Assistance Center that feeds hungry people right here in Nordonia Hills.
Just a small sponsorship gives you recognition on our website, the local newspaper and on the weekly email sent to over 900 e-mails addresses.
Your raffle prize donation enables us to raise funds to give some of those deserving families a little bit of Christmas fun.
Please plan to attend our Holiday Party -- and bring your co-workers. By working together, all our struggles will be easier.
Sponsors to date include: Sleigh Bell Sponsors are Jackson Comfort Systems, Key Bank, Ridgway Insurance and Hageman Pest Control. Elmcroft of Sagamore Hills is a Jingle Bell Sponsor and The Boyle Group and Crossroads Chiropractic Center are Silver Bell sponsors.
Corporate food donations will be coming from Panini's of Sagamore Hills, Spennato's Ristorante, Winking Lizard and Chick-fil-A.

Charity Pancake Breakfast
January 27, 2010
The News Leader

Note of Thanks: Community provided 'Magical Holiday'
January 27, 2010
The News Leader

Haircuts benefit Emergency Assistance Center
November 25, 2009
The News Leader

Charities see increased need
November 25, 2009
The News Leader

Chamber Chatter: Chamber planning holiday party for Dec.1st
November 25, 2009
The News Leader

Note of thanks: Drive brought more than 1,000 items
November 11, 2009
The News Leader

Eaton Estates Food Drive
October 28, 2009
The News Leader

Donations now being accepted
October 22, 2009
The News Leader

Community invited to Get Out and
'Make a Difference'
October 21, 2009
The News Leader

Area Teens Can Rock Out for a Good Cause
October 14, 2009
The News Leader

Eaton Estates food drive to benefit
The Emergency Assistance Center
October 14, 2009
The News Leader

Music festival brings
The Emergency Assistance Center $2,636
August 5, 2009
The News Leader

Circus Returning to Township July 31
July 29, 2009
The News Leader

Musicians hit the stage to benefit local food bank
June 3, 2009
The News Leader

Chamber members deck the halls for a very worthy cause
Dec. 11, 2008
Nordonia Hills Sun

Local food bank feeling economic strain
Dec. 10, 2008
The News Leader

Chamber celebrates holiday season
Dec. 10, 2008
The News Leader

Oreck and Assistance Center team up this weekend
September 23, 2008
Nordonia Hills Sun