Gazette News Report
XENIA — Greene County Public Health is excited to highlight some of our great volunteers in recognition of National Volunteer Week, which is observed every year in April. National Volunteer Week, brought to you by Points of Light, is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. The mission of Blessings in a Backpack is to mobilize communities, individuals and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry.
Teaming up with the Greeneview Local Schools community in Jamestown each Thursday, a group of families meet at the school to help pack the bags for the students to take home. The program serves 104 Greeneview elementary students.
Isaac Seevers, Greeneview’s Superintendent said, “This project has created an atmosphere of service and giving and it is a blessing to our entire community. We are excited for the foundation it has laid and we hope to find need and resources to be able to expand in the future so we can reach more families and more students”.
According to Jillian Bothwell, Health Educator at Greene County Public Health and coordinator of the Blessings in a Backpack program, “We know that good nutrition and full bellies go a long way in impacting the health and wellness of community. It is our duty as public health officials to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles, and protect our communities. This program meets the needs of this community and it just makes you feel good to know you’ve made a difference in a child’s life”.
The staff of Greene County Public Health appreciates the efforts of and is grateful to the following families that assist with this program: Isaac and Emily Seevers and their children Eliza, Abe, and Owen; Scott and Beth Parker and their children Sophie, Isaiah, and Lucy; Ryan and Chelsi Haines and their children Macoy and Maverick; DJ and Rachael Shontz and their children Rowan and Roark; Brian and Rani Masser and their children Tessa and Gavin.
For more information about Blessings in a Backpack, visit www.blessingsinabackpack.org. For more information about Greene County Public Health, visit www.gcph.info or call 937-374-5600.
