COSHOCTON − The pause in SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown was weighing heavy on a local woman’s heart, so she decided to do something about it.
Skylar Hasseman-Stewart is collecting food and monetary donations through Nov. 21 to help families in need.
She’s working with staff of Coshocton City Schools and Coshocton County Head Start to determine families who need help. If she gets enough donations, she wants to help families in the Ridgewood and River View school districts too.
A table of food was set up during parent-teacher conferences at Coshocton Elementary School. Hasseman-Stewart said everything was gone in about 90 minutes.
“I work in counseling and this season with the holidays approaching and it getting colder outside, is hardest for kids. Especially being on long breaks away from school and away from the free food they give consistently for breakfast and lunch. I know there is always much more need this time of year,” said Hasseman-Stewart, who is a case manager/care coordinator with Ohio Family Counseling.
So far, more than 700 food items and a bit more than $1,000 in donations have been collected.
Some of the items sought during the collection drive is mac and cheese cups, oatmeal packets, peanut butter, granola bars and fruit cups. Monetary donations and gift cards will also be accepted, as will hygiene products, she said.
“So many grateful people receiving donations and an incredible amount of community members going out of their way to help in any way that they can,” Hasseman-Stewart said of public support. “I’m glad so much of our community has come together to support and send love to those that need it.”
Donations can be dropped off at Hasseman Marketing, 432 Main St., or Ohio Family Counseling, 550 Main St. She can also arrange to meet people to take donations and she can be reached through her Facebook page. She said the drive might be extended if needs in the community continue.
Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 17 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X at @llhayhurst.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: With SNAP benefits paused, Coshocton woman launches food drive to help community
Reporting by Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune / Coshocton Tribune
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