Medicare open enrollment has begun

Every year, people with Medicare get to explore new choices and pick the health and drug plans that work best for them. This year, this Open Enrollment period is from October 15 – December 7.

Learn more about the Medicare health and drug plans available.

ALL COUNTIES- OBB Fall Regional Networking Meetings- REGISTER TODAY

A chance for local Ohio Benefit Bank sites to come together, discuss upcoming tax season, network, learn of OBB updates, and meet your new Community Organizers and Regional Coordinator! Topics include upcoming Veterans Education Benefits, OBB Pro, OBB Self Serve, Restoring Stability, and HEAP/PIPP Plus.

Akron:
October 18th, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Akron Canton Regional Foodbank
350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron, OH 44307

Mansfield:
October 24th, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Area Agency on Aging
ANNEX Building, Suite 110
800 Park Ave West Mansfield,OH 44906

Youngstown:
October 27th, 1:00 - 3:00pm
United Methodist Community Center
139 E. Boardman Street Youngstown, OH 44503

Canton:
November 8th, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Trillium Family Services
624 Market Avenue North, Canton, OH 44702

Warren:
November 14th, 1:00 - 3:00pm
First Presbyterian Church
256 Mahoning Ave. Warren, OH 44483

If you would like to register for any of these meetings, please do so by clicking this link: Register for a meeting!

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at our meetings!

MEDINA COUNTY - Pediatric Seasonal Flu Clinic

Pediatric Seasonal Flu Clinic

Location:

County-Wide

Event Type(s):

Health, Children Activities

Organization:

Medina County Health Department

Description:

The following evening seasonal flu clinics are for children six months of age through eighteen years of age only: Both clinics are located at the Medina County Health Department, 4800 Ledgewood Drive, Medina • Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. • Wednesday, November 9, 2011, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

ALL COUNTIES - "Seasame Street" adds child Muppet to deal with poverty, hunger issues

October 6, 2011 3:46 PM

"Seasame Street" adds child Muppet to deal with poverty, hunger issues

By Michelle Castillo

Luis discusses with Elmo and Lily the widespread issue of hunger in the United States as part of the "Sesame Street" television special on hunger.
 (Credit: Gil Vaknin/Sesame Workshop)

 

(CBS) Meet Lily, the newest addition to the "Sesame Street" team.


The 7-year-old child Muppet will be introduced and featured during a special primetime episode titled "Growing Hope Against Hunger," which is scheduled to air on Oct. 9.

ALL COUNTIES - Center for Disease Control and Prevention announces that October is Carrot Month

Vegetable of the Month: Carrot Carrots are an excellent source of Vitamin A, which is necessary for healthy eyesight, skin, growth, and also aids our bodies in resisting infection. Carrots have a higher natural sugar content than all other vegetables with the exception of beets. This is why they make a wonderful snack when eaten raw and make a tasty addition to a variety of cooked dishes.

TRUMBULL COUNTY- Community Suppers

Community Suppers 2011

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Every Thursday 4:45-6:00

For the Month of October
it will be held at:

St. Stephen Church

129 West Park Avenue Niles, OH 44446-1597 (330) 652-4396

*Every month the location changes stay tuned
for where the community dinner is next month

ASHLAND COUNTY- HEAP Clinic October 14th!

Do you know of someone who needs help paying their high utility bills this winter?
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is designed to help eligible Ohioans meet the high costs of home heating. If they are eligible for assistance, the amount of the one-time HEAP benefit will depend on how many people live in the home, total household income, and the primary fuel source. In most cases, the one-time benefit will be a credit applied to your energy bill by your utility company (or fuel vendor).

Ashland Ohio Benefit Bank counselors will be screening those who are interested for eligibility in HEAP, food assistance and other OBB benefits on October 14th at the Ashland County Council on Aging (240 East 3rd Street in Ashland). Screening and application completion will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome! Advanced screening and appointments can be made by contacting Jessie Barth, Ohio Benefit Bank Community Organizer, at 419-522-5612 ext.1168.

RICHLAND COUNTY- First Call 2-1-1 office moves!

First Call 2-1-1, a countywide clearinghouse for non-emergency calls, has a new location! Walk-ins are welcome at the 36 W. Third St. Mansfield 44902 office, or people may continue to call the 2-1-1 number for information.

The office used to be on the third floor of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library. The program outgrew its space. The new location allows room to expand its volunteers and more.

First Call 2-1-1 is a way for people needing public assistance to find a relevant office or safety net group. Many OBB sites are listed in their records. If a client has a need outside of the scope of OBB, you can refer them to First Call 2-1-1 at 419-522-4636 or 877-795-2111.

View entire article in the Mansfield NewsJournal by clicking here!

ALL COUNTIES - Low Cost Telephone Service

Save Money on your Telephone Bill with the Lifeline Assistance Program

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is urging low-income residents to apply for Lifeline Telephone Assistance. Lifeline Assistance makes basic local telephone service more affordable for income-eligible families across Ohio. Those who qualify could receive discounts for monthly telephone bills and/or installation costs of telephone service. And now, some wireless companies offer Lifeline discounts. Who's eligible? Households with income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines may be eligible. For more information please visit: Lifeline Assistance Program How to apply: Contact your local landline or wireless phone company and ask to apply for Lifeline. Click here to view a listing of telephone providers. If you have further questions contact the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio at 1-800-686-7826.

ALL COUNTIES - Voter Registration Reminder

This is a friendly reminder that The Benefit Bank online service can assist clients to register to vote for the first time. TBB can also assist clients in changing their registration information, like name, address, or political party affiliation. The National Voter Registration Application can be accessed through counselor-assisted and TBB self-serve.

The deadline to register for the November 8 election is October 11.

For more information on voter registration please visit:

http://www.ohvotes.org

For those of you at 501(c)(3) agencies please know that you are not prohibited from registering people to vote (on a non-partisan basis), unless you are restricted from doing so by certain funding sources.

Thank you and remember to vote Tuesday, November 8!