Urban Mission rouses community for action against hunger

STEUBENVILLE -- Urban Mission Ministries observed September as Hunger Action Month, hosting a community event to identify hunger needs in the area and honor Ohio Valley "hunger partners" at the mission's food warehouse Thursday.

The event brought together representatives from various area food pantries or organizations with nutrition-related programs. Cynthia Lytle, Urban Mission's director of programs and community engagement director, said the event was meant to raise awareness of hunger issues in the community and honor the people working to solve them.

"We realized that not a lot of people know about the work that our hunger partners do in the community," Lytle said. "So, we wanted to ... take this opportunity to recognize them this night to say, 'job well done' and 'keep up the good work' because you're making a difference."

The Rev. Ashley Steele introduced the event before the crowd of attendees, speaking from a podium in the warehouse, which she said is normally bustling with activity for the mission's fresh food pantry. She said that serving the less fortunate can be overwhelming on occasion, but community events like these are a reminder that "it's worth it."

"I know that you're here because you care," Steele said. "You care about people, you care about Jesus, you care about hunger (and) you care about doing something about it. And that means so much."

Following a prayer led by the Rev. Toni Hubbard, Lytle spoke on the idea behind Hunger Action Month.

"This month we join thousands of hunger partners across the country in a campaign designed to inspire people to take action and raise awareness of hunger," Lytle said. "This year's national theme is 'Choose to end the impossible choices of hunger."

A video, produced by the mission's board of directors member Tim Long, explained the theme's meaning, highlighting how many community members' life circumstances oftentimes make them choose between putting food on the table and paying for other essential needs. The video's narrator, Lytle, said that hunger in the community is "vast, hidden and racial inequitable."

However, Lytle said in the video that "Urban Mission and hunger partners throughout Jefferson County are fighting for the systemic change needed to end hunger."

Interns for the mission distributed flyers with statistics to attendees. Those flyers broke down how the mission's hunger services have performed 40,999 services, including 26,030 "households served through the fresh market pantry." That pantry is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

After the video, Awtihana Smith, director of donor engagement, listed various community hunger partners -- identified as "hunger heroes." Kitty Lancaster, director of the fresh market pantry, and Kevin Costello, director of operating for the food pantry and warehouse, assisted in honoring the partners for their work fighting hunger.

Among those partner organizations listed were the Ohio Valley Health Clinic, Ohio State University extension offices of Jefferson and Harrison counties, Jefferson County General Health District, Sycamore Youth Center, Fish and Loaves Ministry of Mount Carmel Community Baptist Church, Vinson House of Mortuary LLC, Smithfield Food Pantry, Cadiz Food Pantry, WEBA Food Pantry in Amsterdam, Toronto Helping Hands, Ministry of Salvation, Kroger of Wintersville, Kroger of Steubenville, Walmart of Steubenville, Walmart Distribution Center No. 7017, Aldi of Steubenville, CareSource, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Wintersville Good Neighbors and Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

Smith recognized any volunteers at or donors to the mission, as well. Also, Lytle said 3,869.45 hours of volunteering had been performed for the mission throughout this year so far.

Lytle, who has been with the mission for 10 years, described the mission's Longest Table event, which occurred during a past Hunger Action Month on Sept. 25, 2016. That event, Lytle said, invited community members to a blocked-off North Street for a shared meal on a line of connected tables that could fit 300 people.

With such a large event, Lytle said, it was nerve-wracking to see RSVPs rolling in. However, nearly seven years later, Lytle said she is "proud" to see community members still submitting RSVPs to take action against hunger.

"We saw every RSVP as a yes., (saying,) 'Yes, I believe in the power of community."

Lytle concluded the official proceedings with a call to action, telling attendees that "the conversation shouldn't end here." In addition to offering a tour of the warehouse, the mission provided "hunger action stations" where Lytle said people could receive more information about how to get involved.

Hunger and Homeless Week will occur from Nov. 13-21, Lytle said, for which more information will be coming soon.

Lytle said anyone who wants more information on Hunger Action Month or getting involved can visit the mission's website, www.urbanmission.org, or call (740) 282-8010.

Michael "Brother Mike" Renforth, founder of Ministry of Salvation Church in Steubenville, said after the event that he is pleased with the local food pantry efforts. Renforth emphasized also how food pantries should always strive to focus more on nutrition for individuals.

Board of directors member Tim Long reflected on the mission after the event, saying, "The impact is far beyond just giving somebody a meal or shelter. It's an opportunity, and that's seen in a lot of success stories when folks leave the shelter, and they get housing, or families stop coming into the pantry because they're able to get back on their feet."

The Urban Mission's three interns -- all of them seniors at Franciscan University -- were Emily Palmer, education and human development double-major, and social work majors Carissa Cedillo and Emma Cascino.

Palmer, who said she has always been interested in ministry, said it has been "really moving" to see how people in the community and at the mission are "so willing to give." Cedillo said she admires the mission's "holistic approach" to meeting individuals' needs. Cascino said she is drawn to the mission because of its focus on "community enrichment."