Stephanie on the Road with Me

Stephanie Blessing(enrollment specialist) conducting a Quick Check with a

mother and her 19 year old daughter

.

Stephanie Blessing (Ohio Benefit Bank counselor from Columbus) and I rode through the rolling hills of South East Ohio yesterday. Our destination was Gallipolis, OH at the New Life Lutheran Church where the LSS Mobile Food Bank was setting up.

We were warmly greeted by Barb Packer, Director of Food Pantry Services at Lutheran Social Services. She has written an article for Capital University that mentions the Ohio Benefit Bank-- check it out here. The Ohio Benefit Bank is an integral component to the services LSS provides and we were glad to be with them on site and on the road.

Their mobile food pantry staff and volunteers provided a week's worth of food to over 80 families on this day in Gallipolis.

Three of these families came to the OBB Express to learn if they were eligible for services; two signed up for the Senior Community Service Employment Program. Many of the folks we spoke to while in line were receiving other services like food stamps and cash assistance.

The people of Gallipolis and surrounding areas are very friendly. While driving, I found myself waving at smiling pedestrians as we passed by. They waved heartily back. So, it was a good day, the weather held out, met interesting and friendly people and had a fun trip up and back with my temporary travel partner.