Mount Vernon Town Money Saver | July FOM 2022

HopeNow: Helping Our Neighbors in Need

Helping our neighbors in need...

This has been the motto, or “mission statement,” at the HopeNow Furniture Bank of Knox County for more than 20 years.

Have you ever considered what life would be like, if you and your family suddenly had to uproot and move to a new community? What f you are faced with many aspects of such a move that are unexpected and expensive. When one is thrust into a hurried or unexpected move, Knox County is blessed to have a resource one can call upon that may be able to assist with these aspects of making a new home in Knox County.

HopeNow Furniture Bank at 1201

South Main Street in Mount Vernon has an entire showroom set up with furniture that anyone would be proud to use in their home waiting to help those who may have spent their last dime in a transition or difficult situation. No questions asked; they will help furnish a home top to bottom---they even have additional resources to find new and slightly used mattresses.

Mearle Griffith, executive director of the HopeNow Furniture Bank, has devoted himself, in his part-time leadership of the organization, to have everything a

family might need to get set up! If you have such a need, stop by the Furniture Bank and relieve the stress from a big move or life change. Call or visit the showroom on South Main Street and Steve Frye, the director of operations, can help you get through your move. *Please note that HopeNow clients must meet eligibility requirements.

You can contact the staff and volunteers at HopeNow Furniture Bank at the following phone numbers or at 2hopenow@gmail.com.

Main office: (740) 392-3155

For free furniture assistance or to volunteer: (740) 358-1277

To donate gently used furniture: (740) 358-2998

Office/Warehouse hours: Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Physical and mailing address: HopeNow Furniture Bank

P.O. Box 627 / 1201 South Main Street Mount Vernon, OH 43050-4657

GET FURNITURE

HopeNow Furniture Bank (HNFB) assists those individuals and families in need with free, donated furniture and household goods including beds and mattresses, dressers, couches, chairs, tables, lamps, small appliances, and linens.

IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF ITEMS

Call HNFB at (740) 358-1277 and follow the voice instructions. A volunteer will return your call to learn more about your needs and ask a brief set of questions to confirm your eligibility; they will leave a message if there is no answer. Once qualified, you will be placed on a priority list.

If needed items are in stock at our warehouse, you will be given an appointment to come to our warehouse to pick up them up. Volunteer staff will assist you in loading your vehicle.

Some of our primary partners who support this mission to help are: United Way of Knox County, The Energy Co-op, The Knox Community Foundation, Park National Bank, as well as three private family foundations.

Whether you want to donate furniture or finances to assist the program, visit the website and it walks you through how to expand and fulfill our mission of assisting families.

potluck recipes

No-Bake Cookies

PeachSaladCaprese with balsamic cherries

Ingredients

1 c. cherries, pitted & quartered

5 peaches, pitted & sliced

2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 small shallot, minced

6 oz. mozzarella log, sliced

12 basil leaves

Salt & pepper

Combine cherries, balsamic, oil, shallot, salt & pepper in a bowl. Put in fridge for 30 min.

Layer the peaches and mozzarella on a serving plate, alternating one after the other. Spoon the relish over the top, then sprinkle with salt and drizzle with olive oil. Scatter the basil over the top.

Ingredients

2 c. sugar • 1/2 c. milk • 8 tbsp. unsalted butter

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

3 c. old-fashioned rolled oats

1 c. peanut butter • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract • Pinch salt

Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment. Bring the sugar, milk, butter and cocoa to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, let boil for 1 minute. Add peanut butter and cook until melted (at least 3-5 minutes) Remove from the heat. Stir in vanilla, salt and oats, stir. Drop teaspoonfuls onto parchment. Let sit at room temperature until cooled and hardened, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate in an airtight container.

Broccoli Salad

Ingredients

8 oz. cooked bacon

A FAMILY REUNION

amily reunions are a great way for families to stay connected. When planning a family reunion, those trusted to organize the event will be met with many challenges. But the following tips should help the process go as smoothly as possible.

FSTART EARLY. The earlier you start the more time for family members to nd deals on hotels/ transportation. It also gives time to nd entertainment, such as a sporting event or an amusement park.

SOCIAL MEDIA. Social media has made it easy to keep in touch. Post ideas for entertainment and activities and assign di erent tasks to di erent family members who have con rmed their attendance.

CHOOSE A CENTRAL LOCATION. Though it might be sentimental to hold the reunion in a city or town where your family has its deepest roots, such a location might not be practical for families who have branched out geographically. Try to nd a location that’s accessible to the largest number of attendees.

ARRANGE FOR TRANSPORTATION AHEAD OF TIME. You might want to rent a small or large bus for the weekend so those without access to transportation can travel together.

5 c. small broccoli orets

1 c. mayonnaise

1 tbsp. cider vinegar salt

1/3 c. chopped onion

1/4 c. sugar

3/4 c. raisins

1/2 c. sun ower seeds

Add broccoli to saucepan of salted boiling water. Blanch until bright green and slightly softened, about 3 min. Drain well, run under cold water to stop the cooking, and drain again. In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, onion, sugar and raisins. Add broccoli and toss with dressing. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Just before servings, fold in the sun ower kernels and the bacon pieces. Serve immediately.