The Crescent-News: Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission to receive two grants

DEFIANCE, Ohio — Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) recently received notice from the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation that two grants have been awarded to the agency to benefit people in Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Van Wert and Williams counties.

One is $5,000 to support NOCAC’s PATH Center’s Fresh & Healthy Foods Initiative.

"When communities have access to nutritious food, health outcomes, education and economic resilience all improve," commented Kaylea Scott, NOCAC’s homeless programs manager. "Healthy food is not a privilege, it is a basic foundation for thriving communities."

This funding is significant as the PATH Center until now managed the soup kitchen serving a minimum of five community meals per week utilizing and stretching a total annual budget of $1,500 along with whatever donated food was available, according to a media release from NOCAC. The additional funding creates the ability to plan in advance healthier meals incorporating fresh and local foods, the release added.

The second grant is $30,000 to go toward the NOCAC Financial Opportunity Center’s Housing Stability Through Financial Literacy, Credit Recovery, & Workforce Stability programming.

"When people have access to the resources and support they need to succeed, entire communities benefit," stated Jamie Huber, NOCAC's director of community services. "We are honored by the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation's support and their commitment to helping individuals and families build stronger financial futures and contribute to a more vibrant, thriving community."