Byesville Rotary learns about local service project challenges

Pictured: Woody Biggs, pastor of the Stop Nine Church of Christ, and Dennis Harding, Byesville Rotary President.

Woody Biggs, pastor of the Stop Nine Church of Christ, spoke about needs of individuals and families in the Byesville community. He stated that most requests for help involved basic needs such as food, shelter, water or school fees for kids. Many times the support needed was temporary and used to tide people over between checks.

Pastor Biggs pointed out that many local organizations in Byesville are active in providing services to local community members. These organizations include local churches such as Stop Nine and Main Avenue United Methodist which provide food pantries and the Salvation Army which provides a variety of services, Service organizations such as the Byesville Rotary support food basket programs at Christmas and sponsor a spring food drive in collaboration with other service clubs in Guernsey County. In addition, local organizations such as the fire department take on special projects such as the Secret Santa Project which provides Christmas gifts to children.

Pastor Biggs pointed out the in recent years the Salvation Army has coordinated a sack lunch program which provides sack lunches to children during the summer months when school is not in session. He estimated that over 100 meals a day are distributed through this program in Byesville. The Byesville Rotary supports this program through a donation.

The meeting concluded with a general discussion of what the Byesville Rotary could contribute. Club members also discussed with Pastor Biggs how they could work with each other and with other local organizations to better meet local needs.

Jim Bakos, chair of the Byesville Rotary Scholarship Committee, reported that scholarship applications are being distributed to Meadowbrook High School students. Becky Brunner will be the contact for scholarship applications on the Mid-

East Career and Technology Center Buffalo Campus.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Everyone interested in giving back to their community is invited to join. Call Membership Chair Jim Vaughan, 740-432-5605, to learn more about the club. More information is available at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283