(PHOTO PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
ASSISTING THE COMMUNITY … Jennifer Martin (left), director of the Archbold FISH food pantry, told Archbold Rotarians that the food pantry is celebrating its 40th year of providing both short-term emergency financial assistance and operating a food pantry that serves an average of 63 Archbold households with 212 family members every month. Rotary president Jennie Gilroy (right) introduced Martin.
Since 1984 Archbold FISH has been helping Archbold residents who have needed short-term assistance with rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, transportation assistance and prescriptions.
The current director Jennifer Martin recently told Archbold Rotarians about the organization and how its original mission has expanded to include a food pantry and a recently renovated “mini market” on South Defiance Street where people in need can shop once a month from a wide variety of food items.
The only qualification that persons seeking FISH assistance must meet is residence: either have an Archbold mailing address, live within the Archbold school district, attend a church that supports Archbold FISH or even work in Archbold.
Martin explained that 14 area churches support FISH along with many individuals and organizations that make financial donations or donate food for the pantry. She added that she just learned that a food grant application that she had submitted to ConAgra was approved.
She said that an average of 63 households with 212 family members receive assistance from Archbold FISH every month. In terms of food, a household can shop at the market once a month. Family size determines how much food a household is entitled to select.
The pantry is open twice a month for shopping – the second Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the third Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Martin encourages families that need financial assistance to call FISH before the bill needs to be paid because once she understands the need she can better match the family with the resources to meet their need.
For example, during a recent month FISH received 13 requests for financial assistance. Every need was met, but only five were fulfilled with FISH funds. Martin explained that some churches maintain funds to help with certain needs. At other times, the Jobs and Family Services office is able to help.
And other times she is able to use her contacts with Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission to get the needed help for the family – particularly when a need may be on-going, and the family meets income requirements for the assistance.
“That’s why I really encourage families to contact FISH as soon as they know they will be needing help,” she said. “It gives me time to reach out to resources that may be better equipped to help than we are.”
She explained that FISH doesn’t turn anyone away, but It doesn’t really matter where the help comes from as long as the family’s need is met.
A nine-member board governs Archbold FISH and many board members also volunteer at the food pantry.
Martin said the pantry can always use volunteers. To find out more about Archbold FISH or to request financial assistance, call 419-445-0366.