Abstract

RSVP volunteers and other national and community service members and volunteers support the efforts of small faith-based and secular community groups. Fifty-two senior volunteers with the RSVP of Warren County, in southwestern Ohio, serve at four food pantries and a thrift shop providing assistance to low-income people, including seniors. This effective practice was highlighted in the National Service News,Issue No. 162, July 8, 2002, published by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

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Issue

In many low-income communities and distressed neighborhoods, small faith-based and secular community groups attempt to provide for the basic human needs of individuals, in spite of overwhelming demand. Effectively utilizing partnerships with community volunteers can be a challenge.

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Action

Fifty-two senior volunteers with the RSVP of Warren County, in southwestern Ohio, serve at four food pantries and a thrift shop providing assistance to low-income people, including seniors. According to the National Service News, effective practices include:

Twenty-two RSVP volunteers assist with the day-to-day operations of three food pantries in Franklin, South Lebanon, Lebanon and Morrow, Ohio.

• RSVP volunteers stock shelves, fill grocery boxes and assist customers who come into the pantries, helping to provide balanced, nutritious meals to thousands of low-income individuals.
• RSVP volunteers also serve by speaking with individuals on the phone and explaining to them the information they will need to bring with them to receive help, or by referring them to an another agency that can help them when appropriate.

Twenty-two RSVP volunteers operate the South Lebanon Salvation Army Thrift Store.

• The full-time thrift store manager is an RSVP volunteer who has been serving with the Salvation Army for over a decade. This volunteer runs the store five days a week, seven hours a day. When not at the store, her service continues from her home.
• The thrift store sells clothing, food, furniture, and utensils to the public.
• The thrift store generates about $2,500 in monthly profits and uses this money to assist low-income families with purchasing prescriptions, paying for utilities, rent, and with other expenses.
• The thrift store also provides Christmas baskets to approximately 600 low-income residents annually.

Kings Local School District Area Community Services in South Lebanon, Ohio, provides assistance and basic emergency needs. Other donations in the form of food and money come from local churches and schools, Shared Harvest Food Bank program, local businesses, Warren County United Way and private donations.

Franklin Area Community Services in Franklin, Ohio provides food assistance and basic emergency needs, receiving funding from local churches and schools, Shared Harvest Food Bank, Warren County United Way, South Lebanon Salvation Army, local, private donations, township trustees, and the cities of Franklin and Carlisle.

Little Miami Food Service in Morrow, Ohio provides food, receiving funding from Warren County United Way, Shared Harvest Food Bank and other local funders.Lebanon Food Pantry in Lebanon, Ohio provides food assistance and staple items, receiving funding and food donations from the Warren County United Way, churches and individuals, Shared Harvest Food Bank, USAA and Ohio Food Pantry.

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Context

Warren County is located in the southwestern part of Ohio approximately 20 miles north of Cincinnati and 15 miles south of Dayton. Its 408 square mile area serves a residential population estimated at 158,383 (census 2000) and is classified as the 14th most populated county in the state, and one of the fastest growing.

The latest statistics (2004) from the Warren County Office of Economic Development indicate that approximately 5.5 percent of Warren County individuals are below poverty level.

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Outcome

RSVP members provide an average of 11,404 hours annually, volunteering to provide food and monetary assistance for other basic needs, such as rent, utilities and prescriptions to thousands of Warren County families.

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Posted On

December 4, 2002

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For More Information

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Related Practices

• Using a faith-based organization to serve as an intermediary in a mentoring program
• Partnering with faith-based institutions to increase literacy among low-income students
• Understanding faith-based community service

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Related sites

Senior Corps

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