OBB Mobile Express Participates in Utility Fairs

Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Inc. invited us to join them as they shared information about how to conserve energy, decrease electric bills and increase efficiency.

Vicki Bilek's smiling face greeted customers as she registered them and handed out light bulbs.

Here is one of the displays at the fair showing many types of compact flourescent lamps. According to Wikipedia: "compared to general service incandescent lamps giving the same amount of visible light, CFLs use less power and have a longer rated life". This translates to savings for the consumer. Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative applied for and received a grant to purchase these lightbulbs to distribute to consumers.

The OBB Mobile Express was on hand to assist these customers with their HEAP application. Since the HEAP application is at a higher eligibility rate (200% of FPL), many people can look forward to a credit on their heating bill this season.


Applications can be filled out with a benefit bank counselor, online using our self serve software or by downloading the application from the Ohio Department of Development website. No matter the method, the application needs to be printed off, verifications attached and then mailed to the ODD. Completed applications take two (2) months to process and clients should see a credit on their bill within that time. HEAP status can be checked by going to this website. It will let you know the application has been received and where it is in the process.

Farmers Market Accepts EBT Card

Joined the Farmer's Market at Public Square in downtown Cleveland. It was a beautiful blustery day. You can see Tower City and Progressive Field in the photograph above.
The OBB Mobile Express had top billing on the sidewalk in Public Square. We were parked right behind a wonderful smelling Asian food truck--yum!
We welcomed guests of the market as well as passerbys.

The van and the Farmer's Market were situated across the street from the

Old Stone Church. This church is the oldest building on Public Square and

the 2nd oldest church in Cleveland-- quite a site to see.

The Farmer's Market is offering EBT card holders (food stamps) the opportunity to spend their dollars to purchase fresh veggies, spices, coffee, tea and many other items. Card holders were also given a free $5 token for using their card. Good deal!

Mustard Factory

Danielle Gray and I got the grand tour of the Woeber Mustard Factory! We were invited to come and talk with employees to help them know if they were eligible for benefits. In addition we informed them that they may use the OBB to complete their taxes.



The tour was fascinating. Below are some pictures that gives an idea of the experience:

Here are vats of mustard--Woeber is known for specialty mustards and mayonnaise. The original recipes were from 1905. The company has been family owned through 3 generations.

Woeber packages many condiments in many different containers. Each container requires a different machine which is tailored to certain specifications for filling, labeling and sealing. This one is designed for packaging vinegar.

There is a room dedicated to mixing of mustard. As we walked in this room our eyes began to water. The spices and mustard seeds were so strong that we needed to leave quickly.

Here we are meeting with Rick Woeber, Vince Chase (United Way volunteer and past food bank president) and our very own Danielle--all donning our hairnets. It was fascinating to learn about the equipment needed to process and package mustard.

Mountains of horseradish. There was a whole room dedicated to the grinding of this root.

After we visited the mustard factory we went to Dole Foods for an employee health fair. All in all, it was a fun and interesting day.

So Anything Noteworthy Happen Last Night?

Oh! Right! The election.

I imagine many of you are busy celebrating or mourning unless you're VISTAs in which case the Hatch Act requires you to FEEL NOTHING.

So since you're celebrating or mourning or being a civil servant, let's keep this low impact. It's been brought to my attention that we haven't linked to the excellent regional blog network that's been created by the Ohio Benefit Bank.

So! Without further ado:

The Ohio Benefit Bank's Central site: http://obbservationsco.blogspot.com/

The Ohio Benefit Bank's North Coast site: http://obbservationsnc.blogspot.com/

The Ohio Benefit Bank's Northeast site: http://obbservationsneo.blogspot.com/

The Ohio Benefit Bank's Northwest site: http://obbservationsnwo.blogspot.com/

The Ohio Benefit Bank's Southeast site: http://obbservationsseo.blogspot.com/

The Ohio Benefit Bank's Southwest site: http://obbservationsswo.blogspot.com/

And if you want to see everything that these sites have to offer, please check out this rad Prezi presentation.