Recently Troop 121 and Pack 121 of the Boy Scouts of America headed up a food drive in Frazeysburg. They placed paper shopping bags on the porches of residents throughout the village and asked them to fill those bags with food items that could be donated to the AIM Outreach food bank. The troops set out last Saturday, August 25 to pick up the bags and ended up collecting a whopping 122 sacks filled with groceries.
Jason and Anne Watson, founders of AIM Outreach, were surprised by the amount of food that the scouts had collected. Jason stated, “We received a lot more than we imagined. The shelves were the lowest they have been and we were in panic mode”. The scouts not only delivered the food, they also stocked and organized the shelves in the pantry all within about 45 minutes.
The AIM Outreach food pantry collects non-perishable and perishable items. They have an additional storage unit for overflow as well as two refrigerators and a tall freezer. Meats, cheeses, eggs, bread, frozen treats, fresh vegetables, and more are all welcome. Some of the items that are in high demand are dairy items especially milk. Some other good ideas for donations include peanut butter, cereal, Spaghettios, pasta and sauce, canned fruit, soup, and beans. The pantry also collects toiletries and some gently used clothing and is always in need of toilet paper and kids clothes.
Although the food pantry is the Outreach’s main priority they also take on other tasks to help the community as well. A hat, coat, and gloves drive will be coming up shortly, as well as their annual Christmas dinner boxes that include a ham and fixings so families can have a good meal during the holiday. Last year 63 families received the dinners. In addition, the Outreach holds a Kids Program each summer. The program is chalked full of fun activities and the community also gets involved. Scrappy’s Pizza invited kids to make their own pizza and the Frazeysburg Fire Department surprised the kids by hosing them down on a hot day during the recent Summer Kids Program. AIM offers a bible study as well starting in September.
The Watsons contribute the success of the Outreach to the volunteers, God, and the community. “The community has surrounded us”, says Anne. It is evident that they certainly have. A couple ladies bring in homemade detergent, some have donated birthday supplies in bags, one girl even asked to donate to the food pantry instead of receiving birthday gifts. Businesses like Panera Bread and Subway donate bread and local farmers have been donating produce and fresh eggs. Produce also comes from the garden at Meadowview Church. A hunter donated meat to Olde Village Meats who gave all 21 boxes of ground deer meat to the pantry. Even the building that they are in is due to the generosity of the building’s owners, Barry and Donna Wisecarver. Jason and Anne’s passion for helping the community is contagious and it is setting an outstanding example for those in the community as well as for their young children who also participate in AIM’s mission to provide for those in need.
Donations can be made directly to AIM Outreach during their hours of operation (Monday 10 am – 12 pm and 4 pm – 6 pm) or by visiting one of the drop off boxes at these participating locations: Johnston’s Pharmacy, Meadowview Church of Christ, or at the Frazeysburg Village Office. Cash donations are also accepted.
If you are in need of food or other items stop by AIM Outreach and bring a photo ID, proof of all household members, and proof of residency to get signed up.
NOTE: AIM Outreach is looking for someone who may be in need of baby food and newborn clothing.
AIM Outreach (located inside old elementary building)
68 N. State St.
Frazeysburg, Ohio 43822
(740) 258-8352
[photos in gallery submitted by Wendy Hartman]
