News

During times of uncertainty, it is often members of a community that come together to solve a problem or help neighbors in need.

That’s the case with a new online resource directory, created by community members and built to serve community members in need. Warren County ESP Advisory Council member and Lebanon resident Jerry Harrod is behind the directory. He first identified the need while volunteering at the Lebanon Food Pantry.

“I’ve met thousands of people at the pantry,” Harrod said. “I’ve gotten to know them over the years and they all have other needs…furniture, clothes, things like that.  I had access to all these resources, but none of them were up to date.”

Harrod and others, including volunteers at the pantry and Warren County Judge Robert Fischer, set to work to create an online directory to help neighbors in need connect with resources that could help meet their immediate needs and improve their overall quality of life.  Using the public.help platform, Harrod and the team worked for 10 months to create an easy to use directory that will stay up to date and grow over time to meet the changing needs of the community.

Now, Harrod is focused on getting the word out about this important community resource. He said the resource directory is especially relevant now, given the uncertain times many individuals and families find themselves in.

Council on Aging is partnering with Harrod to increase awareness of the directory and ensure resources for older adults are included.

County residents can access the directory at https://public.help/oh/warren.

Other ways county residents can access resources:

Warren County United Way: 211

Council on Aging: Food Resources, Congregate Meals, Housing Search, Resource Directory