Bethlehem on Broad Brings Christmas Spirit Close to Home

‎The Mobile Express had the pleasure of joining Broad Street United Methodist Church for their Bethlehem on Broad event. 

• 1150 families received food boxes to help them with meal needs over the Christmas break.
• 5000 cookies were enjoyed by
• 2500 guest 
• More than 500 photos with Santa were taken.

And your very own Mobile Express team completed 20 applications on site and provided many other referrals.
It took a bundle of people to make the event possible.  Russell and I were two of many who spent the day at the church hoping to make folks' Christmases a bit brighter.

Need for Emergency HEAP Heating Up

One of the resounding themes as we travel around Ohio this season is the very real need for energy assistance.  Whether in Mansfield or Gallipolis, Van Wert or Columbus, people are expressing angst about either getting their utilities turned back on and/or trying to avoid disconnection. It is amazing how many people are without heat in their homes in the middle of December. 

As people approach the Mobile Express inquiring about how to problem-solve, we counsel them to go to their local Community Action Agency.  At the Community Action Agency, they can get financial assistance as well as advocacy help to get their utilities turned back on. 

Trying to stay warm

Mobile Enrollment Specialists with The Ohio Benefit Bank software can help with the non-emergency HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) application which gives an energy refund to  income eligible residents.  During these tight times, with limited resources, every little bit helps.

WRITE THIS DOWN AND MEMORIZE

THERE ARE NO LIMITATIONS ON VOTING FOR EX-FELONS IN THE STATE OF OHIO!!!

Are you in jail? No? Then register. I had two clients at the previously mentioned coat giveaway telling me they weren't allowed to vote because of previous felonies. I don't know where this is coming from, but it is the worst kind of disenfranchising malarkey. The fact that I found these people a week after a major election was like an extra heaping of compost on a garbage sandwich.

Once you leave prison, you can vote in Ohio. End of story. Please take advantage of that, not every state is as progressive as Ohio on this subject.

Blood From a Stone

With the unemployment rate holding unacceptably steady, I'm seeing less of the "new poor." What I mean is that there are less people who are recently unemployed and don't know about the benefits available to them. Instead, we're getting more and more people who seem to feel they are settling into a permanently bleak future. Many of them know what's out there. They've already applied for HEAP this winter or their SNAP application has already been sent to the county.

Last night I found an exception. At a coat giveaway in a Columbus church, I ran into a family so behind the eight ball that the adults had just sold pints of blood to pay for their daughter's birthday presents. Basically, a horror story.

Sure they knew about food assistance, but they didn't know about HEAP or PIPP Plus or how to apply for Medicaid.*

(*The "common application" is called that because it's for both SNAP and Medicaid and Ohio Works First Cash Assistance. But if a client says they're only applying for one of those benefits, sometime they are not screened for the other two.)

So I did what I could to fix it. I helped them fill out the SNAP/Medicaid application. Having been on SNAP, they were familiar with the questions I was asking. I asked them to call their caseworker since only one household member was on their SNAP case. For PIPP Plus, if that goes through, their electric bill will go down from over $100 per month to $10. That's 90 more dollars monthly in pocket. Heck, these guys were eligible for OWF Cash Assistance too. We are talking about over $500 in monthly benefits.

Selling blood to give your child a sense of normalcy should never have to happen. Nor should a six-year-old go without health insurance. I was so happy that this family, with a sugared up six-year-old in tow, was willing to spend 45 minutes with us going through all of these applications. They left happy and I felt as satisfied as I ever have working with low income clientele. I wish this were a perfect world where the need wasn't so great, but we all know this isn't that world.

It should be noted that Erin and I helped other clients in less extreme circumstances apply for benefits. A few SNAP applications, lots of HEAP this time of year. And some voter registrations. But more on voter registrations tomorrow...

Pondering Homelessness, Charity and the Vicissitudes of Life

Russell and I attended Tent City in Toledo, Ohio where over 300 homeless, or at-risk of homelessness folks gathered to get clothing, food, haircuts, help with obtaining IDs, medical treatment, dental care and of course, benefit enrollment from The Ohio Benefit Bank Mobile Express team. 

And while it was a wonderful event, I could not help but think about all the other weekends in the year where the homeless would need to find a place to sleep. 

The Mobile Express is an outdoor job; we travel places and open our door no matter what weather challenges come our way. This day was no exception. It was in the 40's temperature-wise.  I was wearing my long johns and fortunately in-between clients I cradled a portable heater in my lap.  It can be hard to type when fingers are chilly, so this worked out great.

However, despite a cheery attitude and relatively warm fingers, I could tell a cold was coming on.   After a couple of hours at the event, I felt that "cold to the bone" feeling.  It was then I developed my strategy to take care of myself once I got home  which included taking some medicine, turning up the heat in my home, taking a warm bath and cuddling under my covers in my bed for the night. 

 As Russell and I greeted people, I realized that our visitors were not unlike myself in so many ways but without these basic advantages- access to medicine, a warm shower, or a dry place to lay their head.

Where do you go or what do you do if you are homeless and the night is 30 degrees and you feel miserable?  How do you get rid of that "cold to the bone" feeling?  Adding complications like a lack of food or medical attention it does not bode well. 

It felt good to see people getting blankets and clothing at the event.  Hot cocoa and coffee were available as well.  And the camaraderie between the volunteers and the participants was palpable. People who visited us were very grateful for the services we provided.

I am glad the Mobile Express is invited to participate in events that attempt to make a difference. Tent City is put on by 1Matters. You can check out their website here.

Free clothing was offered at Tent City

A monument to veterans at the Tent City site.

Local Farmer's Markets during the Harvest

The Mobile Express visited Lorain County for a Farmer's Market Distribution at St. Matthew's African Methodist Church.  Farmer's Markets are usually held by local churches that handle the process of getting fresh produce into the hands of needy families.  At this market, food was brought from the Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio to the church.  All 12 foodbanks in Ohio  provide produce during the harvest with the help of local churches/organizations.

The OBB Mobile Express joins farmer's markets to greet those attending to see if they may be eligible for benefits.  Many times people experiencing job losses, illnesses etc. who may be new to benefit systems  may hear about and attend a farmer's market.  As people go through transitions, they are seeking support for food and other needs. 

 The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks works with area farmers, negotiating a good price for produce to be distributed at these markets.


One family brought a wagon to take their veggies and fruits home. 

This is a truly great way to "Eat Local".

Vets Visit Mobile Express in Youngstown

The Mobile Express Team traveled to Youngstown as requested by Mike Iberis, Director of the Second Harvest Foodbank of the Mahoning Valley to serve those visiting the Veteran's clinic there.  Social workers encouraged clients to stop by the mobile unit to see if they may be eligible for programs.  The team, with the help of local VISTAs, enrolled 25 people in 41 benefit applications.   



Mike Z.  meets with Russell to apply for benefits

 One of the many benefits offered on this day was Medicare Premium Assistance.  Folks who pay $96-$115 per month for premiums out of their Social Security checks can get them paid if they are income eligible.  That is a significant savings and can impact the budget greatly.

Another little known fact is that you can obtain the Golden Buckeye discount card if you are over the age of 18 and disabled. Many of the veterans we saw had disabilities either from active service or otherwise.  5% discounts on oil changes, hair cuts, thrift store purchases etc. may not seem like much, but every little bit counts.


Jim C. met with Erin to sign up for several benefits.
Jim was unaware that he could register to vote
after having a felony conviction. 




Many of the veterans had multiple needs-medical, financial, emotional etc.  It was clear that the people we had the pleasure of meeting were experiencing hard times. 

It always feels good when The Ohio Benefit Bank is a part of the solution--no matter how large or small.  Whether someone gets $200 in food stamps or someone registers to vote. 

Old Fashioned Festival

Garbage cans reflecting the 10 commandments

Awesome beans and cornbread

 Mobile Express next to the Ohio Democratic Party trailer

 OBB Mobile Express visited Bentonville Harvest Festival near the Kentucky border.  This festival was complete with beauty pageants, parade, home made corn bread and local artisans selling their wares.   

One of the neatest things about traveling with the Mobile Express is  meeting interesting people; people living in small towns, big cities, people drawn to health fairs, food distributions, community events as well as, benefit specific clinics. 

Russell and I have the good life experiencing the "heart of it all" in every nook and cranny of Ohio.

Fresh Veggies in Malta

View from the van in beautiful Malta, Ohio.  Pictured here is
an old timey river boat.

Here is Elizabeth Grieser.  She is the SE community organizer with OASHF. 
She, with Russell and I talked to people in cars as they were lined up
for the food distribution. 
Over 300 people waited for fresh produce and came from near and far. 
It was fun to walk and talk, hand out brochures and find out about the local history. 

One of the volunteers suggested that we flyer the bags that were being given out. 
There is no way folks left without knowing about the
Ohio Benefit Bank and all we have to offer.

We talked so much and so fast that it is a wonder that we had voices left.  The event was aided by the local National Guard and OSU Extension was present as well with tips of how to can veggies.  Overall, it was a very pleasant event.

Couple Organizes Distribution for Huron County Residents

Pictured here are Dennis and Rose Jaeckin with Joseph Hrinda. Dennis and Rose with the Plymouth Shiloh Food Pantry, distribute food at different locations throughout the county --helping to feed the hungry. Joseph Hrinda is the Agency Relations Coordinator of the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio which supplies food to pantries throughout this and several other counties.

The Mobile Express team talked to over 200 people who were waiting for farm fresh veggies. All the people fell under 200% of the federal poverty guideline. Some people waited an hour in line to receive an armload of produce to share with their families. Ten OBB applications were completed for various benefits including food assistance, medicare premium assistance and voter registration.

While talking with folks in line, I met one of the bakers for Pepperidge Farm cookies. She bakes one of my favorites --Milanos, and every time I bite into one of those delectable cookies, I will remember those who we help along the way. Noted: If there is ever a Milano distribution in Ohio, the OBB Mobile Express will be first on the scene!

Financial Push Ups

Went to the Smart Money Choices conference hosted by state treasurer, Josh Mandel, in Columbus to learn about resources and brush up on my own skills for financial freedom. I learned a lot about Social Security benefits, credit and debt, and state sponsored programs that support Ohioans with specific goals. It was a day well spent.



I was pleasantly surprised to find our very own Gayle Loyola on stage at the opening panel. She was one of 3 presentors who were answering questions. Gayle represented us well--made people aware of resources through the Benefit Bank and then some.

The goal of the conference in Josh Mandel's words:

“The Smart Money Choices conference series brings together qualified financial professionals and experts to provide free advice to Ohioans who want to take better control of their finances,” said Treasurer Mandel. “It’s important that Ohioans are equipped with tools to manage their finances and plan for a successful future. Smart Money Choices conferences provide valuable resources and encourage discussion on strategies to help residents put their money to work toward reaching their goals.”

There will be one more conference offered this summer in Youngstown on August 26. If you are interested, you can sign up here.

While looking poking around the internet I found a great resource through OSU Extension that uses 8 Easy Exercises for Financial Fitness. Check it out.

A couple of tidbits I learned through the conference:

• Social Security was never intended to be the sole income for retirees. Save money now.



• Get your debt owed down to 32% or less to increase your credit score.

Now I need to set my sights on my goals and live large without spending a lot of money--wish me luck!

Eye had a Great Time in Cleveland

OBBME visited Cleveland for a Medworks event focusing on eye care services to under or not insured patients. Over 1000 individuals gathered, 300 of those needed to be turned away due to resource limits (they did this at 9:30 am). The demand was amazing. The mobile express team spoke to hundreds of people.

Medworks continues to serve Ohioans with the least resources and are experts at rallying support from the medical field to accomplish these goals and we are glad to join forces with them to make a difference.

Here is the van at Quicken Loans Arena. Much of our time was spent in line however, talking to the 700 people waiting to be seen by an optometrist.

Pictured above is Erin with Ralph P. Ralph was seen at the last Medworks event and successfully applied for Medicaid with us. He has beginning stages of Alzheimer’s and is now attending a support group for his condition using his Medicaid benefits to do so. He came back to get an eye exam this time.

Question:

Who has two thumbs, has been on the floor of Quicken Loans Arena and has never won an NBA championship?

Alternate answer: LeBron James

Agape is on the Road in More Locations!

Food is stored on specially designed shelves--making it possible to travel to

8 locations within Shelby county. The mobile pantry feeds folks

in very remote areas that may not otherwise have food to eat.

Russell and Jeff McAtee (head honcho of the mobile food pantry)

take a break in front of the pantry.

Here is Russell with his very own sticker book from High School Musical 3. As you can tell, this find made his day. This and other miscellaneous items are available for the taking as well.

Advertise "FREE"

Signage at the clinic. People stopped by just to see what was available.

They were rewarded for stopping with a give away prize.

Rhonda Holbrook and Missy Jimison

from Adams Brown Counties Economic Opportunities Inc.

joined Russell during recent benefit clinic.

Russell and I went to West Union, the county seat of Adams for a benefit clinic. Rhonda and Missy pictured above worked hard to advertise the clinic in advance and schedule appointments. We were able to complete 10 applications and assisted a few folks with getting Safelink phones. Low income residents can apply for a free cell phone with up to 250 free talk/text minutes.

Aptly Named Franklin Furnace

Spent the day in Franklin Furnace on a very hot June day. Worked in tandem with Lutheran Social Services as they distributed food to hungry Scioto County folks. People came from near and far to stand in line for 2 hours to get food assistance. We were able to complete many applications and provide referrals for other service needs.

Below are a few photos:

Applying for benefits

Van nestled beside the church



Roving hills of Scioto County

Busy Busy Busy (Part 2)

After a successful trip to Franklin Furnace, it was time to get ready for our next event. The good news: It was in Columbus. After driving to Kentucky and back, Columbus sounded nice. The bad news: The event was 12 hours long. It ended at 7pm. Which means it started at...

...

...

&*#*(&^@)(*@_

Despite the early morning, Erin and I were looking forward to this event. Dr. Brian Kvitko, DDS was hosting a massive free dental clinic. Free cleanings, free, extractions, free fillings. And when I say massive, I mean MASSIVE. Over three hundred people were there waiting for dental help.

So Erin and I (this time with a cameo from National Service Member Extraordinaire, Emily Forsee) worked the crowd to see how many people wanted to apply for benefits.

We were honestly shocked by the response. Erin and I finished 21 applications. That made this trip -in terms of raw numbers - one of our five most successful ever. A plurality of the applications were for food assistance, but we ran the gamut from Medicaid to Medicare Premium Assistance to the ever-in-demand Golden Buckeye cards.

Twenty-one applications over 12 hours. And a majority of them were before noon when people were waiting hours just to get a cavity filled. I applaud Dr. Kvitko for helping fill a need and I am glad we were there to make sure people's dinner tables were taken care of as well as their teeth.

But even though this event was on a Friday, our work for the week was far from done. A Saturday trip to Cleveland loomed over the horizon.

Part 3 coming soon.

Busy Busy Busy (Part 1)

When we're setting up a schedule for the OBB Mobile, we're only looking for good events. If something looks like a good fit and the date is open on the calendar, we're off. Every now and then this leaves in a position for a lot of travel in a short period of time. Last week was one of those times.

It started Thursday at a Lutheran Social Services food distribution in Franklin Furnace. Franklin Furnace is so far south that we took the OBB Mobile out of Ohio for the very first time. We drove through Kentucky* to get to this small little hamlet in Scioto County.

We had been to this food distribution before. It's one of the rare events where our satellite dish isn't just a luxury, it is a necessity. There's no cell phone service down there and no cell phone service means no wireless cards. It's satellite Internet or bust.

Once we set up our dish, the demand for help was unrelenting. Erin and I noticed a pattern when we met dozens of disabled Ohioans who didn't have Golden Buckeye cards. Unfortunately, hardly anyone had their disability acceptance letters on them, but we let everyone know that if they took that letter to a local library or senior center, they could be receiving discounts.

We had more traditional success with a woman named Tashanda Boggs. Mrs. Boggs was working part-time, her husband was on unemployment, and her brother just moved in with them after having trouble finding work. With two people earning income in the home, Tashanda didn't think she would be eligible for food assistance. In fact, she was eligible for about $160 a month in food. She appeared ecstatic.

Over the course of four hours, Erin and I (with a cameo from our manager, Zach Reat) completed seven applications. That's a good day. But we spoke to scores of people. That's an awesome day. We look forward to returning.

Part 2 coming soon!

*In Kentucky we were driving on the Country Music Highway. That reminded me of Loretta Lynn, Kentucky's greatest daughter. Unfortunately, our portion of highway was named after Billy Ray "Father of Miley" Cyrus. Ugh.

Can't Win 'Em All

I spent the weekend in Henry County with our precious OBB Mobile for a couple of benefit clinics. We had our usual successes *brushes dirt off of shoulder* and we spoke to quite a few people in a sparsely populated part of the state.

But today I want to focus on a failure of mine. A senior citizen living off of less than $600 in Social Security who wouldn't let me help her sign up for SNAP Benefits. Part of my gig is to try reallllly hard to convince potentially eligible Ohioans to apply for these programs and when I can't achieve that with someone it really chafes me.

But this client was especially sad. Her reasons for not applying for food stamps: 1. The deficit (ugh) and 2. Her local pantry has lots of tuna fish and that's what makes her happy.

i hate canned tuna

I am going to ignore #1 because that's the sort of thing that will drive me insane, but #2 was especially heartbreaking. I tried explaining to her that with an EBT card she can buy loads of tuna fish. Heck, she can buy the fancy tuna fish that comes in a bag. She mentioned depending on eggs because they stretch meals out and keep her full. With an EBT card, she wouldn't have to do that anymore. And of course the money that goes into grocery stores can help people in her hometown achieve employment.

No dice.

My colleagues saw my efforts go up in smoke and gave me the "at least you planted a seed" condolences. But I don't want a seed! I want her on benefits.

Next time I am in Napoleon, OH, I am going to be on the lookout for her. This isn't over yet, not by a longshot.

Busting SNAP Myths

Erin and I tagged along with the Mt. Carmel Hospital Mobile Team and made a trip to the West Side of Columbus to help people get their health checked out and, of course, apply for benefits. A caseworker at Mt. Carmel introduced me to Andrea Stewart. Andrea was on Social Security and was getting ready to receive health insurance for the first time. But even with SSI money, she was forced to live in a tent.

Ugh.

To Ms. Stewart's credit, she was one of the happiest clients I had ever encountered. Her living circumstances were depressing and unacceptable, but she had a smile plastered across her face at all times.

So: Homeless. Only a few hundred dollars in Social Security. Obviously eligible for SNAP Benefits. Obviously!

The Benefit Bank estimated that she should be receiving $17 a month in SNAP Benefits. That's one dollar above the minimum. And she lives in a tent.

Just something to keep in mind if someone talks about food stamps being easy money.

Andrea was also looking at having over one hundred dollars a month taken out of her Social Security to cover her Medicare premiums. Well that would not stand. We filled out a Medicare Premium Assistance application to help maintain her modest income.

Working with Andrea Stewart to get a little bit of help in food and a lot of help in health care was an absolute pleasure. I mean look at that smile:

i am taller than her

The rest of the event went incredibly well. Thirteen applications and a renewed feeling of partnership with the West Side's premier hospital. Good times all around.

Thinking on our Feet

Erin and I drove to Cuyahoga County on a Friday for a food distribution. We get there early. Always a good idea to get to a food distribution early. People wait in line for hours. Early is the time to talk to them.

So we show up and a VISTA, the wonderfully helpful Bridget, from the Cleveland Foodbank is there to assist.

One problem: We are the only three people in the parking lot. The date got mixed up.

So we go into overdrive. I'm calling the Cleveland Foodbank and our North Coast Regional Coordinator. Erin and Bridget are calling Benefit Bank sites and food pantries nearby.

Erin and Bridget hit paydirt. There was a food distribution in Cleveland proper being held from 12-4. We showed up in the Mobile Express with no warning whatsoever and had our fingers crossed that they wouldn't mind.

They didn't mind at all. They were pleasantly surprised. They let us park in their lot.

And with no warning, no advertising, no notice, we came through with a successful event.

Out of the 60 people we spoke to, most were already on SNAP. But that still left a whole lot voter registrations, Golden Buckeye cards, senior employment, and Medicare Premium Assistance applications. Within only an hour our day went from potential disaster to definite success.

That felt awesome. High fives all around.

This Post is Coming From Inside the Event!

Get it? Like the phone call from inside the house in When a Stranger Calls?

Carol Kane gets it.

Anyways, yes, I am writing this from an event. We're at another Project Homeless Connect event in Akron and oh my goodness gracious is this amazing. We're sharing a room with the Social Security Administration and that is fantastic. We get a lot of questions about Social Security and having them in the same room really puts us ahead of the game.

More bonuses! Across the hall? Summit County Metropolitan Housing! When we aren't getting questions about the SSA, we are almost certainly getting questions about rent assistance and public housing. And instead of leaving clients with phone numbers, we can just point across the hall.

This is awesome!

Also here: The BMV to help with IDs. The Office of Vital Statistics to help with birth certificates. And, of course, our good friends at Job and Family Services to help with pending cases and unemployment.

I love events that click like this. There are hundreds of volunteers and almost every appropriate county agency is here looking to help. It is a privilege to be part of something so great.

Vials of Life

Erin and I recently made a trip to Highland District Hospital in Hillsboro. Not only was this a new county for us, but the hospital was a brand new Benefit Bank site. We were happy to welcome the hospital into the OBB fold!

They were having a huge health fair offering discounted fees for blood work and other tests. Basically a health sale. And with almost a thousand people showing up, we needed to be there to spread the word about the OBB. That's a lot of word spreading.

But I ended up spending a lot of time talking about something other than the Ohio Benefit Bank. We were next to a Red Cross table and they were handing out vials of life. These vials are a good idea! Basically, you write down all of your allergies, medications, and health risks on a piece of paper, roll it into a vial, and put the vial in the fridge (presumably next to the baking soda). Then put a Vial of Life sticker on the fridge and paramedics won't give you medicine that will, uh, kill you.

that's a big cross to bear

So, great idea, right? But when I say "they were handing out" vials of life, please don't take me literally. No one was at the table. There were just hundreds of tubes on a table without explanation. So when someone in the know explained the program to me, I took to explaining it to the hospital's patients.

So now can I legitimately refer to myself as a volunteer for the Red Cross? Because that's a good way to introduce myself to people.

And, the Survey Says.......!

Navigating online systems can be like a maze at times. OASHF has been asked to survey individuals who are trying to navigate ODJFS' request pin/status change system in order to give feedback to the folks at ODJFS.

We are in search of people who:

1. Receive benefits AND,

2. Want to have easier access to ODJFS through their online reporting change system AND,

3. Have a change to report--things like: address change, income change, household size change etc.

If you know of someone in this situation or have an event where people on public benefits gather, your mobile express team would like to attend. We are also able to assist people who want to sign up and begin the process.

This online resource has great potential. It helps eliminate the need for clients to go down to the county to make these changes in person. ODJFS is interested in hearing how people experience the system and genuinely wants to make it an easy process.

We Need Second Seats to Take Pictures of the Sky

Back in the day, Erin had her passenger take a picture of sunbeams shooting through the clouds in Wilmington, OH.

Well yesterday I took the Mobile Express to Ravenna, OH without Erin and I'd be darned if I wasn't going to make our second seat take a picture of the sky on our trip home to Columbus.

I often get asked by people what it's like driving the Mobile Express. Is it scary? How does it handle in bad weather? I even had a client ask me if it's ever tipped over. (A: No. Not yet.)

The weather on the drive home was one of the few times it was no fun driving the Mobile. I promise you I have enough good sense to pull over if necessary, but driving the van in heavy winds is the only time I ever wish I was in a sleek little sports car. But at least we had that rainbow waiting for us when we drove through the storm.

Alright, Erin. Your turn for pictures of natural phenomena from the passenger seat. Maybe you'll get lucky and get a shot of a tornado!

Van Outreach Helps Local Agency

Happy St. Patrick's Day Germantown!

The Community Action Mission Program invited the van team to historic Germantown, Ohio and we set up shop at the local library. While getting our gear together for the tax clinic--computers, printers etc. we chatted about our last visit to this fine town for the Germantown Pretzel Festival.

.

Pam Mornneault, CAMP board secretary indicated that our visit with the van last year really got the word out about thier organization. They have since expanded food pantry , emergency (financial) and Ohio Benefit Bank services. CAMP is a volunteer run organization that represents several churches in order to meet the ever increasing needs of those who have fallen on hard times or are facing a crisis.

.

They are a good example of the many wonderful organizations out there that give the gift of their time and resources to make the world a better place. Russ and I are lucky to get to rub elbows with folks like this.

On another note Germantown is also home to Cornhole.com. Yes you too can get your very own cornhole set. They do sport a fancy van like ours but I must admit I am still partial to our Mobile Express.

The Benefit Bank is Always Free. Unless...

The fifth section of The Benefit Bank terms and conditions is unambiguous. It is always free of charge. My colleagues and I feel very strongly that tax credits and work supports are something that our clients are legally entitled to. Charging them to claim what's theirs is a perversion of decency.

But come tax season some people really want to give us money.

While we're always appreciative of people offering tips, we don't accept them. The Mobile Team is a pillar of integrity. Yet some people even go as far to drop money on the floor and look the other way. That trick doesn't work on us. We are wily. But there are some clients who won't take "no" for an answer. One client put 15 bucks behind our wiper blades! We didn't notice until we were halfway home.

So what to do with 15 dollars of ill-gotten money? The best idea is to spend it on canned food and create a small emergency stash of food in our main office for clients in need. Another idea is to gamble it on the NCAA tournament and then donate the winnings to to the state to help with the budget crunch. Any other ideas?

VAN Wert

I make that VAN Wert joke literally every time I am in Western Ohio with the Mobile Express. No exceptions.

I mention Van Wert because we had another successful clinic there and the Northwest Regional Coordinator, Gayle Loyola, was nice enough to take a picture of four of the counselors (myself included).

Me, Erin, Lima VISTA Mary, Toledo VISTA Kylee

Uh, guys? What I am going to do about my hair? This is unacceptable. I look like Win Butler.

So it's still tax season and we remain busy, busy, busy. Last year, it was considered a great event if Erin and I had four clients each. This year, that's just par for the course. Even in underpopulated areas like Monroe County, our hands are full.

We're noticing that we're getting more and more sophisticated tax documents. The aforementioned Ms. Loyola told me that back in the day, tax forms didn't get much more complicated than multiple W-2s. Now we're seeing more and more interest, pensions, dividends, and other miscellaneous forms of income. We're reaching a wider swath of Ohio taxpayers and I couldn't be prouder.

Hypothesis: Since we're getting more and more people who aren't getting huge refunds, we are going to see more and more people who need to get their taxes done in late-March and April. We'll be ready.

When There are No Big Returns

Erin and I spent the day in Vinton County yesterday. The least populous county in the state is, like so many other counties in the state, dealing with high unemployment and poverty levels. Hopefully, Erin and I could help people complete their taxes for free and inject some capital into the state.

Except I did the opposite.

Erin and I had three clients each. I had two break even. Zero owed, zero back. My other client owed a little under $200. I went to one of the hardest hit counties in the state and took their money away from them.

Way to earn that salary, Russ.

Now, of course helping people complete their tax forms for free has an added benefit not included in the refund statistics, but, still. Yuck. Not as fun as helping a mom get a $10,000 return, ya know?

So. Many. Taxes.

I'm writing this from a hotel room in Van Wert, Ohio. This follows overnight trips in Montpelier and Oberlin. I am collecting an impressive array of tea and conditioner.

Since it's been so long since we've last talked, I thought I'd turn this into a grab bag of van fun.

1. So far my favorite travel story happened in the aforementioned Montpelier in Williams County. The county borders both Indiana and Michigan so it's quite the haul. I stayed there once last year. The hotel is haunted. It's basically The Overlook. Dimly lit, lots of corners, patterned carpet, and a weird empty conference area in the middle. I've been telling everyone about how much it's like The Overlook. I was weirdly excited about it. So when we check in, guess what room I get? HINT. If I ran into a set of twins I would have gone into shock.

2. Erin and I are proud to report that every single event we've been to has been successful. No duds here. I mean, if there were duds I probably wouldn't write about them, but you can take my word on this. Every event has been a hit.

3. I'll admit I'm personally disappointed that I haven't had any gigantic tax returns this tax season. The best part of taxes is telling someone in your best game show host voice that they're getting a return of $8,000. I can't pretend I'm Bob Barker if the return is less than a thousand bucks.

4. Erin and I also want to thank Emily Forsee. Ms. Forsee is an Americorps volunteer who works out of our home base in Columbus. Emily has organized over a dozen clinics across Columbus to help people file their taxes. That on it's own deserves kudos. But an added benefit for the Mobile Team is that going to these events keeps us in Columbus. I can't imagine how roadworn and weary we'd be if it weren't for the occasional clinic in our home county. Staying in Columbus every now and again keeps fresh for these trips to Van Wert.

So that tackles the past two weeks or so. The calendar is still chock full all the way into late-March. Anyone have any good vacation destinations for April 16th?

Chris Says Don't Sit on your Taxes!

Meet Chris. He volunteers with the Lorain County EITC Coalition--greeting people and shepherding them to get their taxes done through the Ohio Benefit Bank. Below he tells the story of how he has procrastinated and is encouraging others to come and get their taxes done. Check it out:

Tax Clinics Launched

Christina, Abry and Erin

London Tax Clinic

Printed with Permission

The Mobile Express Team joined up with Ministry for Community to provide tax help at St. Patrick’s School. It was one of the first tax clinics we have participated in and was quite successful. There were 5 Benefit Bank counselors on hand who helped many low income residents get their taxes done—most getting a nice refund.

We provided much needed technology, counselor services and supported newer counselors as they learned to navigate the software.

Here is a shout out to Twyla McNamara for her efforts to staff the clinic and attract clients to the clinic. Not only did she schedule appointments but she also made arrangements for sloppy joes to be served to all volunteers. Thanks Twyla!

Defiance Resource Fair

I have mixed emotions regarding Defiance. On one hand, the name of the town is Defiance. That's pretty metal. On the other hand, why does it have to be so far away? Three hours! Too far!

Of course, when a VISTA that we've worked with in the past is organizing a resource fair, it's worth the drive. So we filled the Mobile with as much diesel as possible and made the trip.

Kylee Collins was the VISTA in question. She organized a resource fair that utilized the OBB Mobile Team, Northwestern Ohio Community Action, and a host of other local resources to help people struggling to get by. Because it was late January, tax appointments started trickling in as well.

Kylee made it a true family effort by inviting her mom, Lisa, to help out. Lisa provided hot dogs and baked beans for the event and it was very much appreciated. (I ate three hotdogs.)

The dynamic duo

I also found out that Kylee had been an OBB counselor since her salad days in high school. I didn't know that minors could be counselors. So, come on, Ohioan high schoolers. Stop it with the texting and the Em Tee Vee, go to your local OBBservations blog, and get yourself to a training!

Homeless Count in the WCH

Erin and I traveled down South to Washington Court House, the seat of Fayette County. The Community Action office invited us to attend a "point in time" homeless count. Volunteers canvassed the city and county to get an official count of the homeless population there. Some of those homeless men and women came down to the community offices to provide information about their specific situation. And we were there to make sure they were being taken care of in terms of food assistance.

In Franklin and other larger counties, the homeless remain a severely underserved population. There are all sorts of reasons for this, but a less obvious one is that most counties require their clients to have an address to qualify for food assistance. No address means no place to send the Ohio Direction Card means no benefits.

The first thing I did was ask the folks at Community Action if clients could use their address for homeless clients. They said it wasn't necessary.

"Jobs and Family Services just uses their own address. Doesn't every county do that?"

No. Every county does not do that. Your county is clearly awesome.

So here we have a county where most of the long term homeless population is able to eat because of food assistance. Not great for Erin and I performing applications that very day, but that is a good problem to have. Every homeless person that walked into that office already had food assistance.

I hope every county follows Fayette's example. I understand that might not be possible in larger counties. I understand that it means taking a lot of extra steps. But it's worth it.

Paper Plate Project

More and more Russ and I are seeing this situation-- working folks that are affected by the economy and left scrambling:

You can access a news video here talking about the project. Or, go directly to the project website here.

Tax Season is Upon Us!

You remember tax season, don't you? The joy of seeing Ohioans get thousands upon thousands of dollars in federal and state refunds juxtaposed with the many hotels and fatty meals that come with spending so many hours on the road. It's a nomad's life for the Mobile Tax Counselor. The avalanche of tax clinics appears above the horizon...and I kind of can't wait.

But before all that we decided to go to some food distributions in Northeast Ohio. Specifically, in Akron and Medina. Despite being in such close geographic proximity, Akron and Medina are two very different places. But one binding similarity is that both towns have loads of people who qualify as food insecure. So when Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank invited us out, we were more than happy to attend.

Enough onions to make Bill Raftery proud

We ran into problems, some good, some bad. A lot of the good problems were encountered in Medina. The distribution was held at a county building that also serves as home to the Medina County Jobs and Family Services Center. There was clearly a very good relationship between the county office and the people in line to pick up food. We talked to dozens of people and got dozens of "we've got that" when asking about SNAP Benefits, HEAP, and even Medicare Premium Assistance. People were aware of the benefits they were eligible for and had gone out and got 'em.

The problems in Akron were a little trickier. Unfortunately, they're the kind of problems you'll run into in any urban area and there aren't any real fixes. The real problem is waiting. Long waits for appointments with Community Action to get E-HEAP. Long waits to apply for public housing. Long waits for a caseworker to call you back. That stuff is a lot harder to solve. Hopefully we were able to provide some help by referring people to other organizations like The Salvation Army for immediate utility assistance.

Coats, clothes and gloves were on hand for those who needed them.

After all was said and done we did help some clients get in touch with their local OBB sites and, of course, we helped some clients sign up for benefits right then and there. Now taxes await.