Fri Feb 03 2012
by Jeff Saunders
Reporter
Nordonia Hills -- The state of the economy is taking a double-edged cut into the area's local food bank operations -- while more families are now seeking help, donations have declined.
Christina Ciryak, executive director of the Emergency Assistance Center in Northfield Village, said that in the past, the center has typically served about 120 families at a time, with occasional temporary spikes increasing it to 150 families.
Ciryak, however, said that for December, the number of families on the center's rolls are at about 165. Meanwhile, she estimated that food donations are down 20 to 25 percent this year over what they have been and while she feels the center will get through the holidays OK, what happens after that is uncertain.
"The same organizations are taking care of us, but the donations aren't what they used to be," said Ciryak, who has been with the center for six years. "Everyone's generous for the holidays, but I'm worried about January. I don't know if I've ever said this before, but I'm concerned."
Laura Sparano, executive director of the Nordonia Hills Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber and the Nordonia Hills Rotary Club, which she is a member and past president of, are helping.
"The need is so great -- and people don't understand the assistance center feeds people right here in our back yard," said Sparano.
Sparano said the Chamber is sponsoring three families in the EAC's holiday Adopt-A-Family program this year and collected about 325 canned food items from members attending its Dec. 2 Christmas party.
In addition, she said, the Rotary Club donates about $1,000 annually and collects food for the EAC.
"We've been connected with them for a long time. It's a great organization," said Sparano.
The issue of people needing help is widespread in the county.
"Last year, we did not have as many people coming in for help," said Sarah Kisner, director of the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services.
According to Kisner, in 2007, Medicaid cases involving county residents 65 and older increased by about 1,000 to around 20,000 individuals county-wide.
Likewise, requests for food stamps increased from 27,495 in 2007 to 28,633 this year.
However, Kisner said another measure, the number of individuals in the Prevention, Retention and Contingency program increased from 198 in 2007 to 278 so far this year.
The program helps individuals gain or retain employment or find assistance in emergencies.
As its name implies, the EAC provides temporary help for families in Nordonia Hills and nearby communities in emergencies, including sudden unemployment. The usual time period is up to six months, though this may occasionally be extended.
Help is primarily in the form of food, including frozen and nonperishable items and special menus for those with medical conditions.
Other help includes clothing and personal hygiene items, advice on nutrition and meal planning, and contact information for organizations that can help with such things as utility payments, medical assistance and temporary assistance.
During the holidays, the EAC also provides extras. In November, said Ciryak, 148 families received baskets with food for a Thanksgiving meal. For Christmas, there are 38 families in the EAC's adopt-a-family program. They will receive a holiday basket containing fixings for a Christmas dinner and a baking basket with supplies for making treats like cookies.
The center is also collecting toys, said Ciryak.
""We're just getting ready for the holidays," she said. "We want it to be special for the kids."
Ciryak said the center will do what it can for its families, but times are tough and donations are needed.
"We just haven't been able to give what we have in the past," she said.
E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169
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