Grant powers OHgo

SANDUSKY — A nonprofit recently received a federal grant, which allows its management team and massive network of volunteers to continue feeding underserved locals. OHgo, a Sandusky-area-based organization serving all of Erie County and neighboring areas, obtained what's known as a Community Development Block Grant. Entities eligible for funding primarily work to address challenges in their communities in hopes of developing viable urban areas. They also aim to enhance the quality of life for those falling in the low- to medium-income bracket levels. The state, through Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's administration, announced these federal awards. In total, 45 counties split up nearly $11 million. These grants "strengthen the fabric of Ohio's towns and cities, making them even better places to live, work and raise families," DeWine said. Depending on the grant, projects ranged from repairing streets to replacing water lines and even building community centers. The share for OHgo, which provides food assistance through various outreach programs at no cost to locals, totaled $20,000. It's a similar amount to what the organization has previously obtained from this grant program before. Christine Boesch, the nonprofit's co-founder, thanked state officials for their continued belief in her nonprofit's mission, which centers on providing meals to lesser-privileged locals across Erie County, including in Sandusky. "The Community Development Block Grant has been an important source of funding for service providers, such as food pantries and homeless or transitional living projects," Boesch said. "It's important to support communities by addressing the needs of low- and moderate-income residents." Beyond this grant and others, OHgo largely relies upon donations to carry out its programming. People can visit ohgoreach.org to donate or learn more. Making sense of the dollars and cents In total, through this grant program, $150,000 is intended for Erie County. The money will be split up through many different organizations, including Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, which will receive $40,000 to help families, individuals and veterans experiencing homelessness in Erie County. More specifically, it will benefit Crossroads Homeless Shelter in Sandusky, which serves displaced individuals, families and veterans. It should assist more than 200 homeless individuals over a two-year period. Other recipients through this cycle of block grant funding in the Register's coverage area include the following: • Huron County stands to receive $162,000 to help Willard's government replace a portion of its water infrastructure, benefiting more than 1,400 people. New London's government will also receive a portion of this amount to install security fencing around its water plant, which is used by more than 2,500 residents. • Norwalk's government stands to receive $139,200 to improve the parking lot at McGuan Park. The project includes paving the gravel parking lot, installing handicapped parking spaces and building a handicap-accessible sidewalk to connect all areas within the park. All improvements will remove barriers to access for people with disabilities. • Ottawa County stands to receive $166,000 to install curb cuts on the north side of Port Clinton, benefiting more than 2,500 locals. Local officials will also provide funding to set up free health assessment clinics in senior centers across Ottawa County. Reaching out Those representing OHgo constantly stay busy to ensure locals receive food, which includes nutritional items with ample sustenance. Volunteers fill vehicles with food and travel to lower-income neighborhoods and area educational facilities, where locals in need — especially those with no means of transportation — can receive groceries, produce and meat all at no cost. The latest example occurred last week, prior to Thanksgiving, when several events took place in one day. Most notably, a market at Sandusky High School's Strobel Field — which gave away free turkeys and fresh groceries — saw more than 500 families come through. Then, later on, volunteers delivered 430 hot meals to seniors and others in need across the community. OHgo thanked its many partners — including Faith Church, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio along with the Patrick and Louise Murray Foundation — for helping. "We sure do love our community," according to an organizational statement. "We know, sometimes, celebrating Thanksgiving can be hard, stressful or feel lonely. Our hope is that those feelings will be used to fuel our prayers, to remain confident that there is more good in store for you and that you've been reminded this week that you are not alone and cared about." Q&A Nonprofit leaders estimate they help feed about 8,000 people a month. This would include 400 food boxes delivered to area senior citizens. The nonprofit also supplies 42 local school pantries through various programs. Boesch provided some additional context on what this grant award means. Q: What's the need for this grant? CB: OHgo has doubled the number of individuals served in the last three years as well as tripled the number of services we provide, such as fresh markets, school pantries and senior food box deliveries. To give an idea of the growth that has been made possible: • In 2021 and 2022, we provided around 80,000 food distributions to individuals through 70 pantry events, 20 school pantries and 3,000 food box deliveries. • In 2023 to 2024, we provided around 180,000 food distributions to individuals through 220 pantry events, 42 school pantries and 9,600 food box deliveries. Q: Why is this grant important? CB: Food banks and pantries are becoming increasingly important to their communities' economy. They make a huge difference in the household budget of families in need. Q: How will this grant help support your organization's mission:? CB: It takes much more than food to run a successful food assistance program. This grant helps us with key elements, such as streamlining our process, distributing enough food to provide more than 1 million meals every year, assuring the program is accessible to those in need and partnering with other support services. Q: What's the impact of not having grants like this available to your nonprofit? CB: A decrease in grant funding could potentially lead to reduced food availability in Erie County and limited program offerings. Individuals who rely on OHgo for essential nutrition would be most affected. OHgo has been very diligent in implementing as many cost-saving measures as possible such as buying bulk by partnering with Second Harvest food bank, encouraging community support through volunteerism, and reducing waste.