United Way, Jacob’s Ladder helping eliminate hunger

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EATON — United Way of the Greater Dayton Area Preble County Branch recently approved funding in the amount of $2,735 to Jacob’s Ladder in Eaton. These funds will support Jacob’s Ladder with its goal to meet the needs of hungry children in Preble County.

The funding comes from the proceeds of a recent United Way golf outing, according to United Way officials.

“We are fortunate to have the dedicated and passionate people in our county that meet this unique need and United Way is happy to support their important work.” said PC Branch Director Alexa Joyce.

Jacob’s Ladder is a grassroots organization founded by a group of women representing several schools, churches, and service organizations passionate to meet the need of hungry children here in Preble County.

The loss of a young child, Jacob, is the inspiration for their name. “Our heart is to transform that sorrow into a legacy of hope that lives through our organization. This outreach is our personal way to ‘Pay It Forward,’” organizers said.

Children who receive free and reduced lunches at school often go hungry on the weekends.

“It is inexcusable that many children in our community may not eat between lunch on Friday and breakfast on Monday morning. The Jacob’s Ladder team addresses this local need by providing backpacks filled with food for these children. We look forward to serving all elementary schools in Preble County as well as the Preble County Head Start Program,” they continued.

“It’s an honor and a blessing to serve our community and to be recognized and supported by the United Way. It means a lot to us individually and to the success of our program,” said Jennifer Couch, one of the founders of Jacob’s Ladder. “We just want to say thank you to everyone who participated in the golf outing.”

Couch said the donation will go a long way in helping those in need.

“Potentially, it could buy a single product for the entire year to serve all 255 kids each week,” she said. “It’s wonderful to get this amount of money.”

Jacob’s Ladder provides over $30,000 worth of food to the students of Preble County schools each year and is funded completely by private donation. They are currently serving 255 students county-wide and several schools have a waiting list of kids to receive backpacks. It costs $15 a month to sponsor a child.

For more information on this organization, visit their website, www.jacobsladder-ohio.org.

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By Eddie Mowen Jr.

[email protected]

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4056 or on Twitter @emowen_RH.

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