The Clarion County Penn State Master Gardeners donated more than 300 vegetable plants to Community Action, Inc. last week for distribution to clients at the Clarion Food Pantry. The vegetables were grown by the master gardeners at their horticultural resource center, AKA: greenhouse and demonstration garden, located at the Clarion County Park. The regional coordinator from Penn State Extension provided the master gardeners with seeds, soil, jiffy pots, hoses, and a wheelbarrow. The gardeners supplied the loving care to grow the plants and vegetables. For the third consecutive year, fresh vegetables are available at the Clarion Food Pantry located at 30A South Sheridan Road at the Community Action, Inc. office. Some of the plants donated were a variety of tomatoes, cabbage, pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, and various herbs. The Master Gardeners also planted an extended demonstration garden with tomatoes, peppers, onions, beets, beans, and carrots, as well as flowering plants like nasturtiums, sunflowers, and marigolds. Vegetables from the garden will be donated to the Community Action Food pantry regularly as the vegetables are harvested, the same as last year. When individuals come to the food pantry, they will be offered plants. Children of clients can also get involved, watering the garden, picking the veggies, looking for tomatoes, and looking for little worms and bugs. Penn State Master Gardener trainees are required to participate in a minimum of 40 hours classroom training, score 80 percent on the midterm and final exam, and fulfill 50 hours of volunteer service. Those interested in learning more about the Master Gardener Program may contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension office at (814) 223-9028 or the Cooperative Extension office in your county. Individuals in Clarion County in need of assistance with food may contact Community Action, Inc. at (814) 226-4785 or via [email protected].

“CNB Bank employees at the Clearfield Main Office recently participated in a donation drive to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Each month, the Bank’s Employee Resources team has a goal to support a local organization and contribute to a community project. The team recognized the need to support the homeless population in the area, considering the limited resources currently available to them. Donations of coats, clothing, and blankets were given to a local mission in Harrisburg and a church's homeless mission closet, the Closet of Hope,” explained Taylor Butler, CNB Employee Resources Assistant. Ms. Butler went on to explain, “Due to the increasing need, the team also chose to collect items for local homeless projects and shelters during April 2023. After donating to a local men's shelter, the team looked for an organization to focus on providing aid for both women and children in Clearfield County; Community Action's Crossroads Project, which assists families with emergency shelter and housing assistance through social service resources, was selected as a beneficiary.” The Crossroads Director, Suella Himes, and Coordinator, Becky Misko, were very happy to provide the team with a list of items needed by their domestic violence shelter and the CNB Bank team got started collecting laundry and household cleaning products, hygiene items, non-perishable food, and flashlights. “Donations and projects such as CNB Bank’s enable Crossroads to provide victims of domestic violence a safe place to stay and basic daily necessities while they establish plans for a safer future,” noted Ms. Misko. “Donations also provide encouragement to victims that someone cares and wants them to have a brighter day and future,” added Ms. Himes. The Crossroads Project enables individuals and families affected by domestic violence up to 30-days emergency shelter (with meals) while Crossroads staff provide free and confidential services including: safety planning; information and referral; and legal advocacy. Crossroads also provides a 24-hour domestic violence prevention hotline and support group activities. “The CNB Bank team believes that helping individuals can have a positive impact on their lives, and perhaps even the world,” added Ms. Butler. Andrew Gifford once said, "You can't change the world. You can change a person's world. The more people you help, the more worlds you've changed.” For more information on CNB Bank community involvement, visit your local branch. Those seeking help or more information on domestic violence may contact the Crossroads Project at 1-800-598-3998 or [email protected].

Community Action, Inc. (CAI) is pleased to welcome the Jefferson County Fair as the newest AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) station in Jefferson County. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP is one of the largest volunteer efforts in the nation engaging people age 55 and older in volunteer activities throughout their communities. Volunteers have the opportunity to share their skills, knowledge, and companionship with others while helping their neighbors and community. The Jefferson County Fair offers many opportunities for senior volunteers, including: building preparation, monitoring, accepting exhibits, assisting with judging, and manning concession stands. There is also flower planting, lawn care, and record keeping activities. There’s something for everyone! If you are age 55 or older and would like to sign up to volunteer at the Jefferson County Fair in July 2023, please contact AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP at Community Action, Inc. (814)226-4785, ext. 104; toll free 1-800-997-7661; or via email at [email protected]. Additional volunteer opportunities are also available.

Junior Girl Scouts from Troop #46777 recently earned their Bronze Award while collecting and providing 30 care packages for children impacted by domestic violence in the local area. Scout Leader, Leslie Geist, explained the Bronze Award (third highest award in Girl Scouts of the USA) involves junior girl scouts (grades 4 or 5) selecting a team project to make a difference in their community. They work as a team to create a plan of action, spread the word and involve others, and work together to make a positive impact in the community. Scout Leaders Kira Elbel and Cheri Barenchik also assisted with the project. Ms. Geist stated, “They knew they wanted to help other kids. Their project evolved into collecting blankets, coloring books, crayons, books, and stuffed animals. Then using proceeds from their cookie sales, they purchased and decorated pillow cases to place each care package into, before donating to the Crossroads Project for domestic violence.” “We are so proud that these young girl scouts thought of children in need and wanted to offer encouragement and comfort to children impacted by domestic violence,” stated Suella Himes, Crossroads Director. The Scouts’ care packages bring smiles, comfort knowing others care, and provide something that is their very own for the children in shelter,” added Ms. Himes. “The girls were excited to know their care packages would go to kids who needed it the most,” added Ms. Geist. The Crossroads Project provides free and confidential services to victims of domestic violence including: 30-day emergency shelter; safety planning, information and referrals; legal advocacy; and a 24-hour domestic violence hotline. “Crossroads congratulates the Junior Girl Scouts for earning the Bronze Award and challenges the community to carry-on the Scouts example of making a difference in your community,” concluded Ms. Himes. For more information about domestic violence and services available, please contact Community Action, Inc.’s Crossroads Project at 1-800-598-3998 or [email protected].

The Seneca Serves Committee from the Seneca Resources, Brookville location, chose to help area victims of domestic violence by collecting and donating needed items to Community Action, Inc.’s Crossroads Project, which covers Jefferson and Clearfield Counties. Seneca Serves staff collected and donated two truckloads of clothing and shoes for all ages; bedding, towels, dishes, pots and pans, personal hygiene items, and household items. The staff went the extra mile to sort, box, and label the donations for easy storage and distribution at Crossroads locations in DuBois and Punxsutawney, PA. “March is Women’s History Month and we wanted to do something as an office to benefit women within Seneca Resources’ operating area. We chose to support Crossroads because of the profound impact it has on the people it serves, not just women, but anyone who is impacted by domestic violence. It’s our hope that through our donation these individuals will have the resources they need to recover,” explained Rachel Hannon, Environmental Engineer for Seneca Resources. Additionally, Seneca Resources provided a $1,000 donation to Crossroads to “help sustain Crossroads locations and services plus purchase food, help with housing or relocation needs, and the many needs involved with surviving and re-establishing safety and security after domestic violence,” noted Ms. Suella Himes, Crossroads Director, for Community Action, Inc. Heather DuBose Huska, Sr. Representative, Content Management, Seneca Resources Company, LLC, stated “Community is a core value of Seneca Resources, and we are committed to the health and vitality of our local communities. Our employees live and raise families here, so it’s important that we give back and hold ourselves to the highest standards of corporate responsibility. This commitment to our local communities established our “Seneca Serves” program enabling our employees to volunteer or donate to employee-selected local charities and groups to aid and strengthen their home communities.” The Crossroads Project of Community Action, Inc. provides many services to victims of domestic violence in Jefferson and Clearfield Counties, including: 30-day emergency shelter; prevention and option information; legal advocacy; and a 24-hour domestic violence prevention hotline. “We really appreciate Seneca Serves staff and the Seneca Resources Company, LLC for supporting domestic violence victims and families in Jefferson and Clearfield Counties through our Crossroads Project. Their enthusiasm and collections not only help with immediate and household needs; but provide encouragement and empower domestic violence victims with the knowledge that others care and want them to be safe,” concluded Suella Himes, Crossroads Director. For more information about Community Action, Inc.’s Crossroads services, domestic violence prevention, or volunteer opportunities, please contact Crossroads at 1-800-598-3998 or [email protected].

NuMedX Integrated Medical Clinic in Punxsutawney recently conducted a community project through the NuMedX Outreach Program to collect and provide basic necessities for homeless individuals and families in the Punxsutawney area. Patients donated items such as toiletries, towels and washcloths, blankets, afghans, pillows, socks, clothing, non-perishable food staples, and clothing baskets. Dr. William Reed, DC, with NuMedX Integrated Medical Clinic, stated “the employees and patients at NuMedX wanted to give back to the community where they work and live.” “We hope if we needed help, someone would be there to help us; therefore, we need to help when we can.” “We recognize homelessness exists in our community, but until we started this project in January, we didn’t realize how significant the need was or how enthusiastic and interested our patients and staff would be” added Dr. Reed. “Community Action, Inc. receives 4 – 10 calls per week regarding individuals or families in homeless or near homeless situations”, noted Cheryl Craft, Community Services Supervisor for Community Action, Inc. “While we may not see people sleeping in the park or on street corners like you do in the big cities, we do have people sleeping under bridges, in cars, abandoned or vacant buildings, or just moving from one friend’s sofa to another,” Craft noted. “TV shows depicting homeless people as addicts, criminals, or bums isn’t what we experience,” elaborated Craft. “Many of our homeless or near homeless became ill, had ill family members, lost their job, or experienced divorce or a death of their partner and lost their livelihood, home or apartment, etc. Homelessness can happen to anyone and more easily than we realize in today’s economy,” concluded Ms. Craft. “The baskets and boxes of donations provided by NuMedX patients and staff will provide for the basic daily needs and comfort for our men, women, and family shelters in Punxsutawney. Some items will even go with the individuals to new homes,” added Ms. Craft. “Just as NuMedX ‘s goal is to help individuals with regenerative therapy for their joint and back pain to avoid medication or surgical interventions, our NuMedX Outreach Program’s goal is to help those in our communities to improve their life situations and regain direction in supporting themselves and their families,” explained Dr. Reed. “We have the ability to help and wanted to make a difference.” Dr. Reed noted that NuMedX is currently seeking community projects for their next Outreach Event and look forward to expanding their Outreach from their new location opening on 119 South of Punxsutawney, in the former Longview School building, later this month. For more information on NuMedX, please call (814)618-5295, visit numedxhealth.com, or email [email protected]. Individuals seeking information on homeless or near homeless services available in Jefferson or Clarion Counties may contact Community Action, Inc. at (814)938-3302 or visit www.jccap.org.

Valley Thrift Shop recently celebrated their fortieth anniversary in service to the New Bethlehem community. The occasion was marked with an open house, door prizes, and refreshments on March 23 and 24. Valley Thrift Shop began in 1983 as the mission of local churches to help those in need. Donations of clothing and household items were offered at reasonable prices and all proceeds above rent and utilities were used to support local non-profits. Through the years the community has supplied donations which are welcomed to stock the store and the inventory has grown to include decorative pieces, books, holiday items, jewelry, games, CDs, and DVDs. All profits continue to support the local charities. Valley Thrift Shop is completely operated by volunteers. Co-directors Debbie Silvis and Judy Jacklin are currently assisted by 51 volunteers; but there have been hundreds of volunteers over the past 40 years. Many of them are members of AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Program, sponsored by Community Action Inc. April is National Volunteer Month. Community Action, Inc. thanks the Valley Thrift Shop volunteers for their tireless efforts in making a difference in people’s lives and their community. Valley Thrift Shop is located at 224 Broad Street, New Bethlehem, PA and is open 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Donations are accepted during store hours. If you are interested in volunteering or are looking for volunteer opportunities, contact Community Action, Inc.’s AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Program at (814) 226-4785 or [email protected].

Joan Kriebel (pictured above) makes sleighs out of multiple pieces of candy and sells them to raise funds for Veterans Services in Clarion County. In 2020, she raised $1,000.00 for Community Action’s Supportive Services to Veterans and their Families (SSVF) project, and in December 2022, she donated $1,200.00 raised from candy sleigh sales.