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The Washington County Commission passed a resolution in support of the Nourishing Networks program to help those who struggle with food security during its regular meeting Thursday morning.
The Nourishing Networks program is a workshop series that brings together diverse community stakeholders to identify barriers and implement strategies to expand community food access, as stated by the Community Food Initiatives website.
The program has already held several workshops within Marietta and the Newport area where the primary concerns for meeting food needs are focused on the lack of transportation options to markets, not having enough money to purchase needed produce, and the lack of local and affordable produce.
The resolution stated that over 7,900 Washington County individuals experience food insecurity and 7,550 individuals in the county are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
"I just wanna thank the Health Department for really helping us with the Nourishing Networks program to get the workshops out there," said Dominic Straquadine, an intern with the Athens Community Food Initiative. "The work and project have really been maximized, and we thank you for that."
Community and county partners that have worked with the Nourishing Networks program include AmeriCorps Seniors-RSVP of Washington County, Boy and Girls Club, Buckeye Hills Regional Council, GoPacks, Marietta Community Foundation, Newport Community Food Pantry, Washington County Ohio State University Extension, and the Washington County Creating Healthy Communities Coalition.
Those that have worked with the Nourishing Networks program to bring food to those with food insecurity include Harvest of Hope, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program, as well as local farmers markets, food bank/pantries, philanthropic funders, and community food drives.
"Thank you to everyone who has helped with this and helped a lot of our churches and schools who rely on this," Commissioner Charlie Schilling said. "It takes a team and we have a great team working on this."
In other business, the commissioners approved bills, transfers, one Then & Now item, and travel requests. Commissioner James Booth was not in attendance during Thursday's meeting. They also approved a resolution to authorize the Faithful Performance of Duty Policy as well as two letters of support; one for the new Memorial Health Women and Children's Hospital and one for the new SAI Tech addition on Ohio 7.
"It's a great addition of services for women and children," said Schilling about the hospital. "The state is making a great $30 million investment."
"SAI Tech does data mining which is heat generated, but it doesn't just blow off the heat, they capture it," Commissioner Kevin Ritter said about the new Ohio 7 addition. "With the captured heat, they will use it to heat a greenhouse for a community garden as well as heat the fish hatchery that usually has to close down during the cold months. It's a great working relationship that will be creating 21 new jobs."
Commissioners additionally approved a payment in lieu of taxes on behalf of Wayne National Forest in the amount of $13,128.68 for Frontier Local Schools and County Engineering due to a 40,000 acre portion of Washington County being located within Wayne National Forest area.
In closing, the commissioners had several announcements before the holidays. Schilling announced that the Health Department had recently received a grant for $150,000; he recently attended a Building Bridges to Careers event with Warren; and that next Thursday they would be passing the budget for next year.
"Enjoy Christmas with your friends and family, and cherish this time of year," said Schilling.
Ritter also announced that due to the Dupont settlement, Washington County would be receiving money that will be dedicated to the sewer and water department. He also congratulated Schilling and Booth for going unopposed and getting reelected to the Washington County Commission.
"They have another four years and you all are in good hands," Ritter said.
"Merry Christmas to you all."
The commissioners also reminded people that the Washington County Courthouse will be closed Monday, Dec. 25, for Christmas as well as Monday Jan. 1, for New Year's Day. The Commissioners 2024 Appropriations Resolution will be 10 a.m. in the Assembly Room Dec. 28 and the Organizational meeting will be 10 a.m. in the Assembly Room Jan. 2.
Gretchen Dowler can be reached at gdowler@newsandsentinel.com