IPM Pop-Up Food Pantry Delivers Food,
Resources to Batavia Residents
IPM Food Pantry and Clermont County Family & Children First co-hosted a well-received first Pop-Up Food Pantry and Resource Fair this week at College Hill/Bella Vista Apartments in Batavia. Despite lingering snow and ice, 90 families who live in the affordable-housing community showed up with laundry baskets, boxes, wagons and strollers to transport the food they received back to their apartments. In all, IPM distributed 5,040 pounds of food to those in need.

The residents also interacted with more than half a dozen service agencies, including Clermont Recovery Center of Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health, Ohio Means Jobs and Child Focus.

This new Pop-Up Food Pantry is the latest opportunity for IPM to partner with multiple agencies to impactfully connect with our clients where they live.
"It is so wonderful to have IPM as a partner. Thanks to our collaboration, Clermont County Family & Children First and other social service agencies are able to connect with people who may not be aware of the community resources available to support them and their families. Our hope is that we will develop a strong partnership with Bella Vista and College Hill apartments too!" — Gretchen Behimer, Program Director, Clermont County Family & Children First
"A big thank you for coming out to us! We old folks so appreciate this as it's hard for some of us to get out and around. And some of the younger folks don't have transportation. Hope you can do it again sometime." — College Hill/Bella Vista resident
"I am so thankful that you are here today, and I hope you will return! I don't have access to transportation, so it's a constant struggle to get food." — College Hill/Bella Vista resident
Spring Mobile Pantry Dates Set
IPM kicks off our 2022 Mobile Pantry schedule with five dates confirmed so far for this spring:
Saturday, March 5: Mt. Carmel Christian Church, 4110 Bach Buxton Road, Batavia, 45103.
Friday, March 11: New Richmond Library, 103 River Valley Blvd., New Richmond, 45157.
Saturday, April 23: Williamsburg Library, 594 W. Main St., Williamsburg, 45176.
Saturday, May 14: Mt. Orab Mobile, 212 Church St., Mt. Orab, 45154.
Friday, May 20: Goshen Library, 6678 OH 132, Goshen, 45122.
All of the drive-through Mobile Pantries will be held from 10 a.m. to noon.
For more information on volunteering for these pantries, please contact IPM at 513-561-3932.
"Coming to these mobiles saves me from having to spend a quarter of my paycheck at the grocery store." — IPM Drive-Through Food Pantry client
Merry Leone Named Pantry Operations Manager
Merry Leone, who has served IPM as Volunteer Coordinator since March 2019, has been named our new Pantry Operations Manager. In her new role, she is responsible for managing IPM's day-to-day pantry operations in both Newtown and Amelia. Merry came to IPM with 10 years of experience managing the Forest Hills 5K volunteer program.

“I am so glad that I can do more for our clients by helping the pantry run smoothly and making sure we always have healthy food for them," said Merry. "Life is so hard for IPM’s clients. The stories we hear are just heartbreaking. I am happy that I can be a small part of helping them.”

IPM is currently accepting applications for the full-time position of Community Relations and Volunteer Coordinator. See the complete job description here. Submit your cover letter and resume to info@interparish.org.
“We are delighted that Merry has assumed the role of IPM Pantry Operations Manager. Her passion for IPM’s mission to serve those in need in our community is an inspiration to everyone who works with her. Merry's full-tilt energy and dedication are contagious!” — Alida Hart, IPM President and CEO
Additional Pantry Supply Requests
Most-needed food items we are seeking to provide to our clients this month:

  • Single-serve milk (shelf-stable)
  • Spaghetti sauce (preferably cans, not glass jars)
  • Canned ravioli
  • Canned fruit
  • Boxed cereal
  • Packages of peanut butter crackers and cheese crackers
  • Chicken broth

Please bring donations to our Newtown Pantry 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; Amelia Pantry noon-4 p.m. Thursday-Friday.
Adopt A Shelf Donors Keep Pantry Staples Stocked
We are truly grateful for the ongoing support of our Adopt-a-Shelf donors, who supply the funding for such essential client needs as milk, eggs and canned meat. Our newest Adopt-a-Shelf donor, Elizabeth Reynolds, adopted our canned meat shelf in memory of the life and ministry of her husband, Robert E. Reynolds.

“My husband Bob was the interim rector at St. Thomas Episcopal Church and really cared about IPM and those you serve," Mrs. Reynolds recalled. "Before he passed away one of the last things he did was go to the store and filled his cart with items for IPM, including Spam and canned meat. In memory of his life and ministry, I am happy to adopt the canned meat shelf.”

The Adopt-a-Shelf program helps us to consistently stock the most challenging to obtain items for IPM's clients. Donors select a time period (three, six, nine or 12 months) and either the Newtown or Amelia pantry to adopt. For further Adopt-a-Shelf information and guidance on products to adopt, please contact Jess Hartley (jess@interparish.org).
Save These Dates!
IPM Food Pantry will be Closed for Presidents Day: Monday, February 21.

WCHS Empty Bowls 2022: Fundraiser event for IPM, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, West Clermont High School.

SNOW CLOSINGS:

Newtown Pantry: When Forest Hills Schools are closed, IPM's Newtown Pantry is closed.

Amelia Pantry: When West Clermont Schools are closed, IPM's Amelia Pantry is closed.
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IPM is a choice food pantry that serves clients in eastern Hamilton, Clermont and western Brown counties through education, encouragement and support. We envision a thriving, food-secure community. With your help, IPM has opened its doors to those in need for over 58 years. Your contributions make all the difference.

THANK YOU for ALL YOU DO!

Alida Hart and the IPM Team
IPM Thanks Our Pantry Partners for Ongoing Support!
Doscher's Candies

The Motz Group

Savor Seasonings, LLC
Wyler Family Foundation

Zimcom Internet Solutions

Zimmerman and Company CPAs