Bryan, Ohio - June 13, 2008 - The struggling economy is putting a strain on many families' budgets this summer. That's why the United Way of Williams County, along with the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF) is hosting its first annual AmeriCorps* Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) Summer Associate statewide project, June 9 to Aug. 10.

Twenty summer associates from across the state will help eligible Ohioans in 18 communities to enroll for the Food Stamp program and other work support benefits. Kylee Collins, a 2008 graduate of Bryan High School, will be running the program in Williams County.  During the nine-week blitz, Collins will be headquartered at the United Way office at 228 S. Main Street, Bryan.

The Food Stamp program is the state's first line of defense against hunger in Ohio, providing nearly 1.2 million needy Ohioans with an average of $1.11 per person per meal to buy food every month. It is also the country's single biggest nutrition program for poor kids; in Ohio, 76 percent of food stamp benefits go to households with children. Due to the recent soft economy, Food Stamp program participation in Ohio has increased. In 2000, an average of 610,000 Ohioans received food stamps each month. That number rose steadily to nearly 1.1 million in 2007, an increase of 77 percent.

The service is one of many offered by the Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB), a Web-based, counselor-assisted program that connects low- and moderate-income Ohioans with access to potential work supports and helps ensure Ohio families have the resources they need to put food on the table.

"As gas and food prices continue to rise, it is getting harder and harder for families to put food on their dinner tables," said Chris Malanga, Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Williams County. "The Food Stamp program allows eligible Ohioans to put more food in the grocery bag and provide better nutrition for their families."

Individuals may be eligible for food stamps even if they own their own home, work full- or part-time, have a good car and money in the bank, are a student, or live with other people. The amount of benefits depends on household size, income and certain expenses. For example, a mother with two children who works fulltime at $7 per hour and pays $350 in rent could receive $180 in food stamps benefits per month.

In addition to helping eligible Ohioans enroll in the Food Stamp program, Collins also will assist individuals in applying for other public benefits, such as tax credits, childcare credits home energy assistance and medical benefits, which may otherwise go unclaimed.

"Each year, more than $1.6 billion dollars in tax credits and other supports, more than 95 percent of which are federal dollars, go unclaimed by eligible Ohioans who do not apply," said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, OASHF executive director. "Ohioans should take advantage of these important programs because claiming these dollars will bring more federal money to Ohio, acting as an economic stimulus to help boost the state's economy."

Additionally Collins will work with the United Way to:

• Disseminate information about the Ohio's Best Rx program,
• Assist individuals who usually don't file taxes in claiming the Economic Stimulus rebate, and
• Promote and market the services of the Ohio Benefit Bank in Williams County.

To schedule an appointment with United Way of Williams County to determine potential eligibility, please call 2-1-1 or 1-800-468-4357. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the program, hosting an Ohio Benefit Bank clinic or becoming an OBB site, please contact Collins at 419-636-8603.

United Way has been serving the entire community since 1994 - Bryan, Edgerton, Edon, Holiday City, Montpelier, Pioneer, Stryker and West Unity.  Last year, more than 14,000 people were helped through a United Way program or service.  We focus on the areas of caring for people in crisis, empowering families, helping our kids grow and promoting health and well-being.