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AARP historic chapter #1 donates $1,000 to Valley View Community Food Bank

Posted 1/4/21

Members of local AARP historic chapter #1 in Youngtown donated a check for $1,000 to Jesse Ramirez, founder and president of the non-profit organization Valley View Community Food Bank. The money …

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DONATION

AARP historic chapter #1 donates $1,000 to Valley View Community Food Bank

Posted

Members of local AARP historic chapter #1 in Youngtown donated a check for $1,000 to Jesse Ramirez, founder and president of the non-profit organization Valley View Community Food Bank. The money will be targeted to support their Youngtown location at 12030 N. Clubhouse Square, Youngtown.

“The members of our chapter are thankful to be able to support such a wonderful resource in our community,” stated Jay Lickus, AARP historic chapter #1 president. “With all of the additional challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic we felt it was critical to donate what we could to help Valley View Community Food Bank continue doing what they do best - feeding people in need. There are way too many families in our area relying on food banks for meals. I urge everyone in our community to step up and donate what they can to make an immediate impact as we enter the new year.”

Valley View Community Food Bank was founded in March 2007 by Mr. Ramirez, who had served at the West Side Food Bank in Surprise for 21 years before starting Valley View Community Food Bank.

Valley View is committed to doing as much as possible to serve the needs of a diverse community. Their mission is to serve those in need with compassion and respect while providing the resources for nutritious food. Valley

The food bank is seeing as many as 500 clients per day, many of them having never asked for help before. Food counselors and other agencies are also turning to VVCFB for help. With the challenges of school cancellations, job losses and the shuttering of many businesses for an unknown length of time, many people are scrambling to provide basic survival necessities for children, grandchildren, and themselves.

“We are in need of more donations, especially food, personal hygiene items, and cleaning and sanitation supplies,” stated Mr. Ramirez. In addition, he adds, volunteers are needed to take the place of regular volunteers who cannot assist in the food bank at this time because of their increased risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus or exposing a vulnerable family member.

“In my decades in food banking, I have never seen anything more disturbing,” stated Mr. Ramirez. “People are crying and are so afraid of the future. We have to find ways to help each other. We are all in this together, and together is the only way to address this historic crisis. We are truly thankful for community partners like AARP historic chapter #1 who are supporting us during these trying times.”

AARP historic chapter #1 is the oldest existing AARP chapter in the nation. It was organized September 23, 1960 in Youngtown and was incorporated Oct. 20, 1969. There are more than 75 active members. Prospective members and must be a current member of national AARP. Yearly dues are $10 per year. In-person meetings are on hiatus and hope to return sometime in 2021.

Call 623-734-5438 or 623-363-4608.