THE COMMON GOOD OF PREBLE COUNTY

THE GOAL OF THE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING CRISIS SITUATIONS THROUGH THE FOOD PANTRY, CLOTHING GIVEAWAY, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. STAFF MEET INDIVIDUALLY WITH EACH HOUSEHOLD REQUESTING ASSISTANCE TO ASSESS THEIR SITUATION AND PROVIDE REFERRALS TO ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES. THE PROGRAM SEEKS TO HELP HOUSEHOLDS MOVE TOWARD STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY ADDRESSING IMMEDIATE BASIC NEEDS.THE FOOD PANTRY RESPONDS TO EMERGENCY FOOD NEEDS BY PROVIDING UP TO FIVE DAYS OF FOOD, ALLOWING FAMILIES TO BRIDGE GAPS IN INCOME OR TO SECURE OTHER SUPPORT SUCH AS SNAP BENEFITS. AS A CHOICE FOOD PANTRY, HOUSEHOLDS SELECT FOODS THAT BEST MEET THEIR FAMILY'S DIETARY NEEDS AND PREFERENCES. CLIENTS RECEIVE NONPERISHABLE ITEMS, MILK, EGGS, MEAT, AND FRESH PRODUCE TO PROMOTE A BALANCED DIET. IN 2025, 3,042 HOUSEHOLDS REPRESENTING 7,974 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED A 33% INCREASE OVER 2024. OF THOSE HOUSEHOLDS, 224 WERE FIRST TIME RECIPIENTS AND 20% REQUIRED ASSISTANCE ONLY ONCE. THE FOOD PANTRY UTILIZES 26 VOLUNTEERS THAT PROVIDED 1,904 HOURS OF SERVICE. THE COMMON GOOD ALSO SERVES AS COORDINATOR AND FIDUCIARY FOR THE COUNTYWIDE MILK PROGRAM, PURCHASING AND DISTRIBUTING MILK TO SIX FOOD PANTRIES. IN 2025, 4,167 GALLONS OF MILK WERE DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. ADDITIONALLY, THE COMMON GOOD SUPPORTED SCHOOL-BASED PANTRIES IN EVERY PREBLE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. THESE PANTRIES PROVIDE EASY-TO-EAT FOODS FOR STUDENTS TO CONSUME AT SCHOOL OR TAKE HOME. IN 2025, 1,445 STUDENTS ACCESSED SCHOOL PANTRY SERVICES A TOTAL OF 3,809 TIMES.THE CLOTHING GIVAWAY PROGRAM PROVIDES CLOTHING TO INDIVIDUALS WITH EMERGENCY NEEDS, INCLUDING INTERVIEW ATTIRE, WORK CLOTHING FOR NEW EMPLOYMENT, AND OTHER URGENT SITUATIONS. THE PROGRAM PROMOTES DIGNITY BY ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO "SHOP AND SELECT ITEMS THAT MEET THEIR PREFERENCES. IN 2025, 18 HOUEHOLDS REPRESENTING 40 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED.THE COMMON GOOD COORDINATES A COUTYWIDE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SIX AREA FOOD PABNTRIES TO PROMOTE PREPAREDNESS AND CONFIDENCE AMONG STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES GRADE-SPECIFIC SCHOOL SUPPLIES, BACKPACKS, AND NEW ATHLETIC SHOES. THE COMMON GOOD SERVES THE EATON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND IN 2025, 208 STUDENTS RECEIVED SUPPORT THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE.THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HELPS PEOPLE AT RISK OF LOSING HOUSING OR UTILITIES BY PROVIDING A ONE-TIME PAYMENT TO PREVENT EVICTION OR DISCONNECTION. BUDGET CIYBSEKUBG AND REFERRALS TO OTHER SERVICES ARE ALSO OFFERED TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM STABILITY. IN 2025, 6 HOUSEHOLDS AVOIDED EVICTION AND 8 HOUSEHOLDS' PREVENTED UTILITY DISCONNECTION, AND 2 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED LAUNDRY ASSISTANCE. IN TOTAL 16 HOUSEHOLDS REPRESENTING 50 INDIVIDUALS WERE ASSISTED.BY OFFERING MULTIPLE SERVICES IN ONE LOCATION, THE COMMON GOOD PROVIDES A "ONE-STOP SHOP" FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO MINIMIZE DUPLICATION OF SERVICES AND FOCUSES ON ADDRESSING GAPS WHERE ASSISTANCE IS LIMITED OR UNAVAILABLE ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTY. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THOSE WHO MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR OTHER PROGRAMS DUE TO STRICT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, ENSURING SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.