STEUBENVILLE — It seems Americans are constantly disagreeing when it comes to matters of politics, religion or money.

And yet, whenever the country is facing a difficult, uncertain time, those matters, which once seemed so important, cease to exist for a little while.

Communities unite. Neighbors helps neighbors.

Such is the case today.

As the United States continues to go through a period of uncertainty, as well as food insecurity due to the month-long government shutdown, families are struggling.

The shutdown has resulted in the halt of pay to military personnel and paused SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans.

Many of those individuals can be found right here, in Jefferson County.

But “hope” is on the way for those families thanks to one local nonprofit agency.

The United Way of Jefferson County is participating in the national Meals of Hope program, which provides thousands of freeze-dried meals to area food pantries for distribution.

The event is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. Dec. 8 at Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Christ the Teacher Event Center.

This is more than just a food drive, however. It is a lifeline. And one which just-so-happened to occur when it was needed the most.

“The timing was unbelievable,” stated Marci Crawford, executive director of the United Way.

She explained she was going through the United Way’s correspondence shortly after taking on the position in July, when she noticed an e-mail sent to former Executive Director Laura Rauch from the Meals of Hope program.

This prompted Crawford to reach out and schedule a Zoom call with program officials.

Meals of Hope is a national nonprofit known for its efficient, volunteer-powered meal packing events, bringing nutrition and dignity to the table.

The freeze-dried meals are shelf-stable, easy to prepare and designed to meet the nutritional needs of families facing hardship.

Crawford said she fell in love with the idea.

The concept is to raise money that will be used to purchase ingredients from Meals of Hope.

Volunteers will then meet at Franciscan and form an assembly line.

Each person will add an ingredient to the meal. The meals are then packaged and sent to area pantries for distribution.

The more money received, the more meals can be made.

Examples of the foods which can be prepared by the volunteers are tomato sauce pasta, macaroni and cheese, vegetable and rice soup, bean and rice casserole, vegetable and chicken rice medley and a rice and chicken bowl.

Two of the options can be selected, officials noted, based on the 15,000 meals the nonprofit can assist so far.

However, the more money people contribute, the more meals can be given to the pantries.

Once the United Way and Meals of Hope connected, Crawford explained how she immediately reached out to Joe Wallace, who serves as the director of community relations at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Wallace stated, “The job of this community is to help those in need. This project will be transformational to help pick up others and provide hope.”

“When community leaders come together, transformation will occur,” he added.

Franciscan University will be partnering with the United Way on this endeavor, as well as WTOV-TV, Crawford noted.

“Now, we can give essentially 15,000 to 30,000 meals to our neighbors in need,” Crawford said.

It’s the local volunteers, however, — the church groups, students, retirees and businesses, who transform the program from logistics into love.

Local pantry coordinators say the impact is immediate.

“When shelves are bare and families are desperate, these meals mean everything,” stated Rhonda Householder who runs the Saline Township Food Pantry.

Householder said the pantry assists between 100 and 150 people per month who reside in the areas of Hammondsville, Irondale, Stratton, Empire and rural parts of Toronto.

In addition to the Saline Township Food Pantry, other pantries which will be helped by this event include Helping Hands Food Pantry in Toronto, Smithfield Food Pantry, WEBA Food Pantry in Amsterdam and the Urban Mission in Steubenville.

Crawford addressed Jefferson County commissioners on Thursday, asking them if they would be willing to contribute toward the program.

She began by stating, “Thank you for giving me a few moments to share something powerful, something that can bring our entire county together in service, compassion and impact.”

“In just one morning, volunteers from all across Jefferson County — schools, churches, civic groups and families will come together to package 15,000 meals that will stay right here in our county and go directly to our local food pantries and agencies,” she exclaimed.

The lowest level which Meals of Hope starts out at is 15,000 meals for the cost of $6,500.

Between 20 and 30 volunteers are needed for this total, which figures the meals are created at the cost of 45 cents apiece.

“But my goal is higher,” Crawford told commissioners. “The more money we raise, the more meals we can make and the more people we can help. Every meal is shelf-stable, nutritious and ready for distribution.”

Crawford said she wasn’t at the commissioners meeting to look for a specific amount of money toward the cause. She was asking for their belief that every cent counts.

And they believed.

The commissioners presented the United Way with $5,000 toward the project, making it possible to allow those 15,000 meals to be purchased, when added to the $1,500 given by AEP and the $250 donated by McBane Insurance.

“This isn’t just about food,” Crawford exclaimed. “It’s about hope. It’s about neighbors helping neighbors. And showing that Jefferson County steps up when it matters most.”

Commissioner Eric Timmons stated, “Speaking for myself, I have been around to the food pantries throughout Jefferson County and am a little concerned about the food cuts which are going on right now.”

Timmons said in general, people are in need right now and this money from the commissioners is a one-time thing to help those who need the assistance.

He said food banks screen individuals, making sure they reside within a radius of the area they are seeking to receive assistance from.

“We are happy to be able to help the United Way with the resources we have,” Timmons concluded.

Crawford said it’s not about how much each person can give, it’s about “every cent, every hand, every heart, working together to make sure no one in Jefferson County goes hungry.”

“This isn’t just a United Way project, it’s a Jefferson County project,” Crawford said.

“United Way is leading the effort, handling logistics, recruiting the volunteers and ensuring the transparency and how every dollar is used,” she said.

“Every meal packaged will go directly into the hands of families and individuals in Jefferson County. When we come together, Jefferson County shines. Let’s feed hope one meal, one dollar, one heart at a time.”

“This winter, the more funds we raise, the more meals we can make,” she said. “Every dollar turns into hope. This isn’t a fundraiser. It’s a movement. A movement of compassion, of community, of action.”

“We’re inviting everyone — from businesses to individuals — to be part of something powerful, something that truly feeds both body and soul.”

The United Way of Jefferson County is asking local leaders, organizations and residents to donate, volunteer or simply show up on Dec. 8 to witness what unity looks like in action during a time when needs are great and resources are stretched.

“It’s not just food — it’s reassurance that someone cares,” Crawford concluded.

For information or to get involved, contact the United Way at (740) 284-9000 or visit unitedway-jc.org.

COMMUNITY HELPING COMMUNITY — Those affiliated with the Jefferson County Phoenix Program volunteered at the WEBA Food Pantry in Smithfield during the United Way of Jefferson County’s annual Day of Action in August. Food pantries throughout the county are helping more and more families every month, and those at the United Way are looking to take part in a program that will allow residents to form an assembly line and prepare freeze-dried meals for distribution at local food pantries.
— Contributed

LIVING UNITED — Marci Snyder Crawford, executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County, is working on a Meals of Hope program that will help create more than 15,000 meals to be distributed to area food pantries for the purpose of helping residents.
— Julie Stenger

NEED FOR ASSISTANCE INCREASING — Food pantries such the Saline Township Food Pantry in Hammondsville, help more than 100 people on a monthly basis. However, the need for assistance continues to rise as more and more people are turning to pantries as their source of nutrition.
— Contributed