Summer Crisis Program runs through Sept. 30

The Ohio Department of Development and the Area Agency on Aging District 7 are again offering assistance to help families stay cool.

Through Sept. 30, income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance in paying their electric bill, purchasing an air conditioner or fan, or making repairs to their central air conditioning unit through the Ohio Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households or those that have a disconnection notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, require air conditioning, or those with an elderly household member (60 years or older) who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health. Qualifying medical conditions can include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, and others.

To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of up to seven members, and 60 percent of the State Median Income for a family of eight or more members. For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $54,600.

To apply for the program, Scioto County clients are required to schedule an appointment with Community Action Commission of Scioto County. Clients must bring copies of

-Their most recent energy bills

-A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member

-Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members

-Proof of disability, if applicable

-Physician documentation cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health (if there isn’t a household member older than 60)

Ohioans enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus program who meet the above criteria may be eligible for assistance towards their default PIPP payment, first PIPP payment, central air conditioning repairs, or may receive an air conditioning unit and/or fan.

OMJ van to visit mobile food pantry Sept. 27

In an effort to provide the residents of the Pike County area with the information about job and training services and resources that are available through the OhioMeansJobs Career Center Pike County, the Workforce & Business Development Program of the Community Action Committee of Pike County (CAC) will be visiting various locations throughout the area each month in the OhioMeansJobs Pike County Van. During these events, representatives will provide information about available jobs in the area, educational training opportunities, and supportive services for local job seekers through the grants that fund these programs.

The next OMJ Van Event is scheduled to be at the Mobile Food Pantry on Friday, Sept. 27 from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at Williams Hardware, 13192 Ohio 124.

Visit workforcebusinessdevelopment.org for upcoming dates and locations for the OMJ Van.

Red Cross urges blood donation

The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood emergency as remnants of Hurricane Debby and other severe weather events across the country have further complicated efforts to rebuild the nation’s blood supply. Those in unaffected areas are urged to make an appointment to give now.

Weather in recent weeks has added to the summer shortfall in donations by forcing the cancellation of nearly 60 blood drives throughout the country, many of which were caused by Debby, causing about 1,500 lifesaving blood products to go uncollected. Annually, severe weather − such as blizzards, tornadoes, flooding and hurricanes − impacts about 90,000 blood donations made to the Red Cross. Because blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer blood donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have serious consequences for hospitals and patients.

First-time donors and those who give regularly are critical to blood supply recovery. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). In thanks, all who come to give through Aug. 31 will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Help for details.

Those who come to give Sept. 1-15 will receive an exclusive Red Cross raglan T-shirt, while supplies last.

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