State senators honor YW food program

VW independent/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohio Senators Keith Faber and Cliff Hite recently recognized the YWCA of Van Wert County on the 20thanniversary of the YWCA Summer Food Program.  This accolade credits the organization for 19 outstanding and successful years of service to the Van Wert community.

The YWCA has expanded the Summer Food Program to include an after-school youth program; the expansion of these two services has resulted in the creation of the YWCA youth enrichment program.  The efforts of this program to nourish local children in both mind and body by providing them with nutrient-rich meals that will support their physical growth, along with interactive activities that will improve their education, reflects a source of pride and outstanding character of not only the organization itself, but also of the staff, volunteers, community members and sponsors that make the visions of the program a reality, the senators noted.

The recreation program is free to children 4-15 years of age, while free meals are available to children ages 4-18. Four-year-olds must be toilet-trained to participate in recreational activities.

Supporters of this program include the Ohio Department of Education, Child Nutrition Services and the United Way of Van Wert County.

For more information, contact Hannah Phlipot or Rachel Hire, Summer Food Program supervisors, at 419.238.6639.