Community Resource Fair helps connect people and services

MARIETTA - Residents Sunday connected with the local services available at the GoPacks’ fifth annual Community Resource Fair held in Marietta.

Around 40 non-profit organizations set up informational tables in the ballroom of the Lafayette Hotel and met with residents to explain the resources and services they offer. A free farmer’s market, books, car seat checks, free bike helmets and student physicals, among others, also were available.

"This event is for everyone in the Mid-Ohio Valley, not just people in Marietta," said Heather Warner, GoPacks director. "We have organizations here that help every demographic from veteran services to WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program).

"We have things for kids, families, adults, seniors. You name it, we got it. Our community is rich in resources, but not everyone knows that."

GoPacks is a nonprofit organization that deals with food insecurity by making sure students have access to nutritious food and works with students and their families to increase their resources through partnering with other organizations.

Among participating groups at the fair were Memorial Health Systems, Marietta City Schools, Washington Morgan Community Action Program, the Washington County Family and Children First Council, House of Hope, the American Red Cross, the Marietta/Belpre Health Department, Marietta College, Buckeye Hills Regional Council, Caresource, Suicide Awareness Alliance of Washington County and others.

The event featured around $3,000 of fresh produce given away at the free Farmers Market that included a lot of fruits and vegetables. A station was set up outside where children's car seats could be checked or replaced for qualified residents.

People asked about the services offered by the House of Hope of Washington County, said Samantha Estep, community relations specialist with House of Hope. The organization helps people with mental health and substance abuse issues who are in recovery and get them connected to education, housing and other resources.

"We have gotten a lot of good responses with a lot of people who have been interested," Estep said.

Shannon Lawson of Marietta brought her grandchildren that she has custody of to the Community Resource Fair. They have used GoPacks services in the past and saw a notice on Facebook the event was happening Sunday.

She was interested in talking with the Caresource representatives and learned the Marietta-Belpre Health Department was giving away bicycle helmets.

"It is really nice to see how the community turns out for an event like this," Lawson said.

Jane Barnhouse of Marietta has come to the event in the past and said there was a lot of good information available about services.

"This gives people a lot of helpful information that you might not get anywhere else," she said.

Marilyn Lamp of Belpre said this was the first Community Resource Fair she has attended. She specifically came for the farmer's market as she has a family member with cancer and they were looking at eating more fresh foods.

"We check out anything that can help someone with groceries," she said.

Warner hoped those attending connected with the services they needed.

"I hope the people who come here found a resource they did not know existed here in this area, something new that they can use and share with their family," she said.

Warner also commended the event sponsors, The Marietta Times and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, as well as thanking the Lafayette Hotel for working with them to put the event on at the hotel.

Contact Brett Dunlap at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com