Serving the Growing Community Need

May 2020

Community Need on the Rise as IPM Continues to Serve

Also in This Issue:

Dan Varner Lends a Helping Hand
Break Out Your Sneakers and Join IPM Food Pantry For a Virtual 5K!

IPM Responds to Growing Community Need

During the COVID-19 pandemic, as businesses have closed in response to the Stay-At- Home order in Ohio, IPM has seen a dramatic increase in the needs of our local community.

In fact, the number of families IPM Food Pantry is serving each week for food is nearly double the number this time last year.

To support public health and safety, IPM set up a drive -through pantry where families receive a box of food prepared by the Army National Guard, as well as other pantry staples, meat, milk and produce when available.

In addition, IPM is serving as a food resource hub for many local schools and nonprofit agencies, providing over 200 emergency meal kits to families in need.

IPM has also supplied more than 3500 Power Packs to students throughout IPM's service area with the help of community partnerships.

Recently a woman and her mother came to IPM's drive-through pantry. The mother had been a client of IPM in the past, and her daughter recently lost her job as a waitress. It was her first visit to IPM.

Smiling as she saw all the food, she explained, "I am very scared because I am still waiting for my unemployment check to arrive. Coming to IPM to pick up these boxes of food gives me a bit of control in my life. I feel I am doing something meaningful by getting food for my mother and myself. Thank you IPM!”

Dan Varner and Friends Lend a Helping Hand

When Dan Varner first learned about IPM from his wife Heather a number of years ago, he decided he wanted to support a charity that was doing good work in his local community, "I love that IPM is there to help those in need and also help people get back on their feet." Soon after learning about IPM, the Dan Varner Band became a Pantry Partner, a business that sponsors IPM as we serve those in need.

When the COVID-19 crisis began, Dan recognized that need in the local community would grow rapidly as local businesses, including his own Ohio Valley Productions , were forced to shut down. With his concerts being canceled and business on hold, Dan also realized that he was going to have more time on his hands and wanted to use the time to do something positive for the local area.

Since the inception of HHAT just a few short weeks ago, Dan and his growing team have delivered meals to more than 130 families. Once EIGHT different drivers made 40 deliveries in ONE day. Through this partnership, IPM has been able to uncover additional need among individuals who are vulnerable and underserved. And Dan is willing to go ANYWHERE to serve families, "People are in need everywhere, so why would we hand it off to someone else if we have time and resources to take care of them? I couldn't do it alone, but with so many great people helping, we can."

Reaching out to Alida Hart at IPM as well as local officials and friends, Dan organized a group to determine how they could help the most. This group, now known as Helping Hands of Anderson Township , identified delivery of food as a way to meet the need of those in the community who are home-bound.

"One of the drivers that has been helping me is Thom Brennaman. Can you imagine the looks on some of the faces when they realize that Thom Brennaman is delivering their meals?! Everyone has been so gracious and fantastic upon our arrival with their food boxes, and some even recognize me from the band. You can see in their eyes that they are so grateful."

-Dan Varner

Break Out Your Sneakers and Join IPM For the Freestore Foodbank Virtual Hunger Walk

Break out your sneakers, and get outside to fight hunger! Please join IPM Food Pantry by signing up to walk or run in the Freestore Foodbank 's Virtual Hunger Walk 5K.

Who: Anyone can join!

What: Walk or run a 5K (3.1 Miles)

When: Anytime between now and Memorial Day

Where: Anywhere - inside on your treadmill, outside in your neighborhood, on a trail or at a park

How: Sign up by clicking here to be part of IPM's team and share with friends and neighbors to raise money for IPM

Every dollar donated goes directly to feeding families in need in our local community. We have set a goal of 100 participants participating for IPM Food Pantry!

Join Our Team!

IPM is a choice food and clothing pantry that serves clients in eastern Hamilton County, Clermont County and western Brown County through education, encouragement and support. With your help, IPM has opened its doors to those in need for over 55 years. Your contributions make all the difference.

THANK YOU for ALL YOU DO!

Alida Hart and the IPM Team