Bluffton Community Assistance Program’s board of directors approved a 2020 budget totaling $29,250 at its Feb. 17 annual meeting, according to Ed Yeager, board president.

Income is anticipated at $24,000 from public donations. Other income is from the program’s bank account.

“We are fortunate to receive tremendous monetary donations from our community each year,” said Yeager. “Our donors are individuals, groups, organizations and special fund-raisers throughout the community.”

The board also welcomed two new members, Bob Everett, who replaces Andy Althaus as treasurer and Ray Hammond who replaces Janette Reineke.

Bluffton Community Assistance Program assists persons in the Bluffton school district.

The major expenses anticipated in 2020 includes $17,500 for food and groceries for the program’s food pantry housed in the St. John’s United Church of Christ.

The board also allocated funds for its back-to-school supplies program, disaster victims, medical, client services, stranded motorists and operating supplies.

Jami Crawfis, volunteer director, provided the following 2019 statistics for the food pantry:

• Approximately 47 families visited the pantry each month
• “Adopt-a-family” Christmas program assisted 61 households with individuals of all ages
• Food pantry attendance included 390 children, 849 adults with a total of 1,239 individuals served

Crawfis said that throughout the year several organizations host food drives. For example, food collection drives from Bluffton Post Office, Boy Scouts, Bluffton schools School, resulted in over 2,000 items collected.

Several additional community organizations, businesses and industries volunteered and made cash donations.   

Here's how to donate food items:
Canned and packaged food items may be taken to St. John’s United Church of Christ weekdays   from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  The pantry workers ask that items be delivered by the Wednesday before the third Saturday Distribution day and after the Wednesday evening distribution.

Stocking the shelves and preparing the pantry is done on the Thursday before Distribution Saturday. Ring the doorbell on the College Avenue side of the church to deliver food items.   

Food distribution dates
Food distribution dates are the third Saturday of each month from 8 to 11 a.m. and the Wednesday, which follows the third Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m.

The food pantry is open to residents of the Bluffton school district. An application for food assistance is available during the monthly food distribution dates.

Volunteer director Jami Crawfis works with several other community volunteers. Connie Maroscher handles the monthly food pantry distribution with Basil Meyer, Donna Kidd and Elaine Harris assisting her.

Stocking the pantry each month are some former teachers from Bluffton Elementary School and other friends interested in serving the community by helping with the pantry. Nancy Yeager oversees this area. Persons interested in assisting in any of these areas may contact Ed Yeager, board president.

Board members of the Community Assistance Program are: Ed Yeager, president; Robert Everett, treasurer; Fred Steiner, secretary; Basil Meyer, Lin Rumer, Ray Hammond and Pat Rodabaugh.

Monetary donations accepted
Persons are also encouraged to make monetary contributions. Those may be mailed to:
Bluffton Community Assistance Program
PO Box 52
Bluffton, OH 45817