Food program moves to new location

The Tuscarawas United-Feeding our Future Bags program, which originally began as Blessings in a Backpack in 2016 as a program of the Tuscarawas County Health Department, is relocating to The Tuscarawas County Juvenile Court effective Nov. 30.

“We were able to secure grant funding that will allow us to further the good work of the TUFF Bags program,” said Adam Wilgus, judge-elect for the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas Probate/Juvenile Division. “This grant award makes it feasible for us to house the program and make plans for future growth while continuing to work with the community partners, donors, and volunteers who make our program possible.”

“TUFF Bags will continue to serve the children in our county who suffer from food insecurity, just as it has for the past several years,” said Lisa Walker, TUFF Bags coordinator. “Only the lead agency will change. Packings and distributions will continue without interruption. Moving the program to The Tuscarawas County Juvenile Court will provide opportunities for growth and expansion, and TCHD will continue to be an important part of the coalition.”

TUFF Bags is a partnership with the Tuscarawas County Health Department, the Tuscarawas County Juvenile Court, United Way of Tuscarawas County, The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office, Adventure Harley Davidson, The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and the Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry.

The program is working to eradicate childhood hunger, as well as provide education, skill building, and community service for at risk youth in the juvenile justice system.

Approximately 4,280 children in Tuscarawas County experience food insecurity, which refers to a lack of regular access to nutritional food. The food these children receive through TUFF Bags not only nourishes their bodies, but helps them reach their full academic and social potential by allowing them to leave school on Friday without the worry of going hungry until returning to school on Monday.

All funds donated to TUFF Bags will follow the program and continue to serve the youth of the community.

For more information, call Lisa Walker at the Tuscarawas County Health Department at 330-343-5555 ext. 178 or visit the website at tchdnow.org/tuff-bags.