Warren County DSS Highlights 5K, Halloween Jubilee and New SNAP Cards

Warren County residents have several upcoming events and program changes to keep on their calendars, from a new 5K supporting the local thermal shelter to the return of a popular Halloween celebration and the arrival of new chip-enabled SNAP benefit cards.

Nichole Johns, Program Coordinator, and Michelle Smeltzer, Community Liaison with the Department of Social Services, join Mike McCool in the Royal Examiner studio to discuss community programs and outreach efforts.

Michelle Smeltzer, community liaison for the Warren County Department of Social Services, and Nichole Johns, Program Coordinator, recently joined the Royal Examiner to discuss the projects, along with continuing efforts to support the House of Hope and a new blessing box installed outside Social Services.

First on the calendar is the inaugural “I Thought This Was a Good Idea 5K,” scheduled for Sept. 26. The event will benefit the Hearts, Hope and Rest temporary shelter.

Johns, who is helping organize the race, said registration is open through Sept. 19.

“We just want to have a good time,” Johns said. “We just want to bring people out early in the morning.”

Organizers plan to begin setting up around 8:30 a.m., with the race starting at 9 a.m. at Skyline High School. The route will take participants toward the dog park and through town.

Johns said First Bank, Patents Windows and Doors LLC, and Clear Horizon Foundation are sponsoring the event. On Cue and Stitches and Bows are also providing support.

Those who aren’t interested in running can still get involved. Johns said volunteers can sign up through the race registration site.

The fundraiser will help support the temporary shelter as it prepares for another winter. Smeltzer said the shelter has space for 35 people each night, including 25 beds for men and 10 for women. While the shelter does not normally reach capacity, she said some nights all the men’s beds are occupied.

Last winter’s stretch of extreme cold, snow and ice also required the shelter to expand its operations.

“We were open for like 11 days, I think, 24 hours,” Smeltzer said, adding that volunteers helped keep the operation running.

According to Smeltzer, the shelter does not receive federal, state, or county funding. It relies on small grants, churches, organizations, individual donors, and fundraising efforts.

The 5K adds another fundraiser to the shelter’s calendar. Organizers also plan to continue their winter walk fundraiser in February.

“We thought we’d add a 5K before we open and just see how that goes,” Smeltzer said. “It is our first time, so we’re just going to build on this every year.”

House of Hope Expands Its Reach

Smeltzer also provided an update on the House of Hope, which recently mailed about 350 fundraising letters seeking community support.

The program has also expanded its efforts to help men move toward independent housing.

Smeltzer said House of Hope has been working with a local landlord, and four men have moved from the program into housing where they work full time and pay their own rent.

The arrangement provides another step toward independence while allowing the program to continue offering some support.

Smeltzer noted that resources can be particularly limited for single adults without children. Many Social Services programs are designed to assist families with children or older residents, leaving fewer options for some single adults in need.

Jack O’Lantern Jubilee Returns

Families can also begin making plans for the sixth annual Jack O’Lantern Jubilee, scheduled for Oct. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. around the track.

The event will include vendors, plenty of candy and a variety of activities for children. Johns said organizers are still accepting vendors and encouraged interested participants to contact Social Services.

They’re also looking for something a little less ordinary.

“We are looking for a monster truck, so if you have a monster truck, please call me,” Johns said.

Smeltzer said attendance has continued to grow, with approximately 1,200 people attending last year’s event.

This year’s attractions are expected to include a Cinderella carriage, yard games from Parks and Recreation, a cakewalk, a fire truck, and an inflatable race. A gift card donated by Play Favorites will go to the winner of the inflatable race.

DSS is planning an alien theme for this year’s celebration.

New SNAP Cards Coming

The Social Services representatives also alerted residents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to watch their mail for new SNAP cards equipped with chips.

Smeltzer said the change is intended to provide additional protection after thieves accessed benefit accounts and drained funds.

“They’ve made a chip card … to make that harder for them,” Smeltzer said.

Recipients will also have the option of using an app to lock their card when it isn’t being used and unlock it when they are ready to make a purchase.

Johns stressed that SNAP recipients should make sure Social Services has their current mailing address because the new cards will be sent by mail.

“If they go to our Facebook page, there’s a QR code on there that they can scan and then just update their address that way,” Johns said.

Residents can also visit Social Services to update their address.

New Blessing Box Installed

A new resource is also available outside the Social Services office.

Smeltzer said a large blessing box was recently constructed as an Eagle Scout project. The box will eventually hold food and potentially some clothing and other necessities.

The goal is to make basic supplies available when the Social Services office is closed, including nights and weekends.

The new box joins other blessing boxes already located around the community.

Between the shelter fundraiser, House of Hope expansion, Jack O’Lantern Jubilee, SNAP card changes, and the new blessing box, Smeltzer and Johns said Social Services and its community partnerships have plenty happening as fall approaches.

For now, the most immediate deadline is Sept. 19 for those who want to register for the Sept. 26 “I Thought This Was a Good Idea 5K.” Residents who would rather help from the sidelines can also volunteer for the event.