Feed Osceola kicks off Wednesday

The following is is an article from the OSCEOLA NEWS GAZETTE – AROUND OSCEOLA

By Brian McBride

Associate Editor

Feed the need.That’s exactly what the Osceola County Council on Aging is attempting to do beginning Wednesday, when it kicks off its Feed Osceola food drive. It’s asking businesses, schools, church groups, homeowner associations or individuals to start food drives to help stock the council’s food pantry, which was nearly bare this past Wednesday afternoon.

The month-long drive will end Friday, Sept. 24, a day declared by the council as Osceola’s Day of Caring, when food will be supplied to the needy in bulk, Connie Bellanceau, director of the council’s volunteer center, said.

Feed Osceola, established last year, collected nearly 900,000 pounds of food, but it wasn’t enough as the supply ran dry, Bellanceau said. This year, she estimates the council will need more than 1 million pounds.

“That’s our big need right now,” she said. “We have people coming into the (council) building looking for food. Times have only gotten worse. People are still unemployed.”
The council is looking for items such as canned vegetables, canned meat, pasta and other non-perishable food during the monthlong program.
“We are dead empty,” Council Dietary Director Cathy Arft said, showing off the bare shelves in the council’s food pantry room. “Right now, my only protein is beef stew.”
Hungry families she sees on average are in the triple digits, Arft said.
“We do about 125 a week,” she added.
The council is hoping to give two or three days’ worth of food to the needy Sept. 24. Anything left over would be spread out to some of the 16 food pantries around the county.
For Bellanceau, it’s a rewarding calling. She recalled the hugs and the tears she witnessed firsthand last year after people received baskets of food.
“This is one of the events that’s closest to our hearts because we see the results,” she said.
The council also needs volunteers to assist with sorting the food, stocking the shelves, filling individual food baskets, picking up the food donations and organizing volunteer groups. For information on volunteering or to register a group conducting a food drive for the council, contact Bellanceau at 407-933-9525.

Congressman Posey Hosts Successful Job Fair in Osceola County

The following was taken from a press release from Congressman Bill Posey's office August 12, 2010.

Congressman Posey Hosts Successful Job Fair in Osceola County

KISSIMMEE, FL – Today, Congressman Bill Posey hosted a job fair at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee to help connect local employers with folks looking for jobs. In total, the event drew hundreds of job seekers and 25 local employers looking to fill about 500 positions within their companies and organizations.
“I would like to thank our participating employers and the job seekers who took advantage of this unique opportunity,” said Congressman Posey who was on hand to welcome job seekers this morning. “I would also like to extend a special thank you to our coordinating agencies who made this event possible."
Today's successful job fair was held in conjunction with Workforce Central Florida, Osceola County EDD, Heart of Florida United Way, Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce, St. Cloud Area Chamber, U.S. Small Business Association, Internal Revenue Service, Bright House Networks, University of Florida IFAS (Osceola County Extension), Osceola Council on Aging, Community Vision, Inc., Osceola Human Services/Library Services, Osceola County Sherriff’s Office, Hispanic Business Initiative Fund, UCF Business Incubation Program, and State Representative Mike Horner.
“It has been an honor for Work Force Central Florida to provide our expertise to this job fair initiated and coordinated by Congressman Posey,” said Gary Earl, President and CEO of Work Force Central Florida. “His focus and that of Osceola County Economic Development continues to be about jobs in order to enhance our local economy. There has been wonderful community support for this event, and we had great participation by both employers and job seekers. We thank the Congressman and Osceola County for inviting WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA to participate."
"I think the job fair was excellent," said Deborah Lucas, a Kissimmee resident who attended the fair this morning. "I think they should do more job fairs here in Kissimmee."
“In these tough economic times, it is vital that agencies work together to help connect companies with people who desperately need work,” said Maria Grulich Toumazos, Osceola County Economic Development Administrator. “This job fair is a way to assist Osceola County residents who have been severely impacted by the recession. We are glad to be a partner in this fundamental and essential effort to connect our people to employment opportunities.”
Jennifer Stauffer

Press Assistant/Legislative Correspondent
Congressman Bill Posey FL-15
P. (202) 225-3671
F. (202) 225-3516
132 C-HOB Washington, D.C. 20515
Website:  http://www.posey.house.gov/

Reminder-Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Osceola Council on Aging's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is taking calls this Tuesday 8/17/2010 starting a 2pm. Osceola residents needing utility assistance must call 407-846-8532 to be screened for eligibility. Osceola County residents household income can not exceed 150% of poverty.

Poverty Income Guidelines (150%)
1 Person $16,245.

2 Persons $21,855.

3 Persons $27,465.

4 Persons $33,075.

5 Persons $38,685.

6 Persons $44,295.

7 Persons $49,905.

8 Persons $55,515

Applicants who fall within one or more of the three vulnerable population guidelines will be considered “most in need” and will be given priority to be served. Applicants who do not fit within the “vulnerable population” guidelines will be served after, if appointments are available.

Criteria for vulnerable population:

• 60 years of age or older
• Disabled (must be recieving disability)
• Families with children age 12 yrs old and under

http://www.osceolagenerations.org/