By Tim Smith

Despite an economy that has shown recent improvement, there are still many families in our communities who have a hard time putting food on the table. Fortunately for those in need, Tipp City offers several helpful solutions.

One of these is the Miami County Job and Family Services SNAP Program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which helps low-income households meet their nutritional needs. Eligible families are issued an electronic debit card, which can be used to purchase food at participating stores. Eligibility is based on factors such as family size, assets, income, expenses, and resources.

Items that can be purchased with the debit card include most foods, as well as seeds and plants to grow food. Examples of things that cannot be purchased include pet food, paper products, cleaning supplies, household items, medicines and vitamins, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages. For more information about the program, call 937.440.3471, or visit their website, www.co.miami.oh.us. 

The Tipp City area is fortunate to have several organizations that provide food assistance to those who need it, with very few questions asked. One of these is Needy Basket of Southern Miami County, which maintains a food distribution facility at the rear of 330 South Fifth Street in Tipp City. The facility is operated entirely with volunteer staff, who maintain the pantry, pack and distribute food items, and deliver Christmas Baskets.

Needy Basket dates back to 1946, and serves an average of 125 families per month. To receive services, people must provide proof of residence (Tipp City, Monroe Township, Bethel Township), and show a photo ID. Those requesting assistance must attest to their income level, according to the guidelines set by Miami County Job and Family Services. The food is pre-packaged in boxes, and the number of boxes participants receive is determined by family size.

Jim Sommer is Needy Basket’s Director, and he sees not only a need for continued services, but a strong community commitment to the program.

“We’ve been around a long time, and we get a lot of community support,” he said, “including local merchants, various community organizations, and the Meijer Simply Give program, where they match donations received with gift cards we can use to replenish our stock. We also have a booth at the Mum Festival, which always gets a pretty good response.” According to Sommer, additional support comes from United Way of Miami County, The Tipp Foundation, Paul G. Duke Foundation, and Shared Harvest Foodbank, a bulk food distributor located in Fairfield County.  

Like most organizations, Needy Basket had to change their operation when the Covid pandemic settled in. “Prior to Covid, customers used to come inside to make their selections and pick up orders,” Sommer said. “This changed to drive-up curb service during the pandemic, which is still in place.”

Despite setbacks like pandemics and inflation, Sommer and his staff are committed to the program and services Needy Basket provides. “We want people to know that we’re here and we have food for them. There’s no reason for people to go hungry.”

For more information about Needy Basket’s services and hours of operation, call 937.667.1977, or visit their website, www.needybasket.org.   

The Bethel Hope food pantry is a collaboration between several churches whose pastors decided that there was a need to provide services for area families. Their mission is to help those with specific needs without the hassle of excess bureaucracy by providing a food pantry, and paying critical bills such as rent and utilities. Their pantry, located at Brandt United Methodist Church, 6805 E. U.S. 40 in Tipp City, is staffed by volunteers and supplies essential nutrition items. Annual events include a Christmas dinner with Santa Claus, complete with gifts for children, and a Back-to-School Backpack program. Their church partners include Evangelical Lutheran Church, West Charleston Church of the Brethren, and Maple Grove Old German Baptist Brethren Church. 

For more information, call Bethel Hope at 937.845.1711, or visit their website, www.bethelhope.info.

Another non-profit organization that has stepped up to meet the hunger crisis is New Path Outreach, located at Ginghamsburg Church, 7695 S. County Rd. 25A, Tipp City. The organization's food pantry arm will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. The organization also has retail outlets that provide clothing, furniture, and medical supplies. To receive services, Miami County residents must provide a photo ID, proof of residency, such as a piece of mail addressed to them within the past 30 days, and attest to meeting the income guidelines.

According to Bill Lutz, New Path’s Executive Director, their various facilities in Tipp City, Troy and Piqua maintain a steady flow of customers needing assistance. “In April, we served 609 people in Tipp City, and 710 in Piqua. Spring is a little quieter, then things pick up going into the summer. It’ll slow down again after the first of the year.”

New Path receives financial help from The Miami Co. Foundation, United Way, Paul G. Duke Foundation, The Troy Foundation, and The Piqua Community Foundation, among others. “We’re the only food pantry that serves the entire county,” Lutz said. “That’s why we have quite a few foundations that support our efforts. We’ll do some different solicitations throughout the year, through a mail campaign. Revenues from our retail stores help support all of our ministry areas, like emergency financial assistance, clothing, furniture, and medical equipment. We have quite a few ways we serve the community.” 

Covid had an impact on New Path’s programs, but according to Lutz, a good innovation came from it. “At the time, most people would visit us in the pantry, until restrictions were put into place. We offered a drive-thru pantry which became very popular, then we added home deliveries, which we still do for seniors and people who don’t have transportation. We probably do 100 – 120 home deliveries a month. It’s been very well received.”

Lutz feels that there is a definite need for the services they provide. “Hunger is one of those things, along with poverty in general, that hides in plain sight. We serve a lot of seniors, along with folks who are employed but still need help.” 

For more information about the various services offered by New Path Outreach, call 937.669.1213, or check their website, www.newpathservices.org.   

 

INFO BOX:

Miami County Job and Family Services

2040 N. County Rd. 25A, Troy

937.440.3471

www.co.miami.oh.us

 

Needy Baskets of Southern Miami County

330 S. Fifth St., Tipp City

937.667.1977

www.needybasket.org

 

Bethel Hope

6805 E. U.S Rt. 40, Tipp City

937.845.1711

www.bethelhope.info

 

New Path Outreach

7695 S. County Rd. 25A, Tipp City

937.669.1213

www.newpathservices.org