Good morning, Athens County. One in six people in our community face food insecurity – a sobering statistic that takes on special urgency during summer months when school meals aren't available. That's where the aptly named Peanut Butter and Jelly Project steps in, providing weekly sandwich supplies and fresh produce to over 100 families through July 31. Behind this effort is Becky Handa, an outreach caseworker who once relied on similar community resources herself and now finds fulfillment helping others navigate difficult times.
The landscape of support continues to expand with a remarkable $2 million boost transforming the former Sunset Motel into a comprehensive homeless shelter with 47 beds. Meanwhile, educational futures are brightening for eleven talented graduates who each received $1,000 scholarships from Jefferson Alumni. These recipients – including Caitlynn Reffett with her perfect 4.0 GPA and Tatum Grooms who earned an Associate's Degree while still in high school – represent the next generation of Athens County's promise.
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0%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🥪 Free lunches fight summer hunger for Athens County families. The Peanut Butter and Jelly Project provides weekly sandwich supplies and produce to over 100 families facing food insecurity. Organized by Athens County Children Services, the program partners with organizations like the Southeast Ohio Foodbank and Joe Burrow Foundation to distribute groceries every Thursday until July 31. With one in six people in Athens County struggling with food insecurity, the initiative helps bridge the gap when children lose access to free school meals. Outreach caseworker Becky Handa, who once relied on community resources herself, now finds fulfillment helping families in need.
🏠 Athens homeless shelter gets $2 million boost for expansion. The former Sunset Motel on Columbus Road will be transformed into a 31-room facility with 47 beds to serve the city's growing unhoused population. Additional amenities will include a playground, recreation center, and paved roads around the property. The project, led by Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), addresses a critical housing shortage in Athens County, where affordable housing has declined 63% while prices jumped 67% since 2016. With this funding from the Ohio Department of Development, the shelter is expected to open in the second half of 2026.
🎓 Jefferson Alumni awards eleven $1,000 scholarships to talented graduates. Since 2003, the Jefferson Alumni has granted 188 scholarships thanks to generous donors including Ron and Ruth Lykins. The 2025 recipients include high-achieving students like Caitlynn Reffett with a perfect 4.0 GPA and Tatum Grooms who earned an Associate's Degree while still in high school. Each scholarship honors the memory of Jefferson alumni or their family members, creating a legacy of educational support. Recipients are pursuing diverse paths from engineering and psychology to welding certification and ministry studies.
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Walkable Athens opportunity: For $220,000, this 4-bedroom home near Athens offers walkability to uptown and amenities, with fresh paint, wood floors, flexible layout, and a rental permit—ideal for both homeowners and investors.
Rural paradise with multiple dwellings: This 90-acre Athens property, listed at $606,000, features three residential dwellings, two barns, a stream and timber, offering a rare opportunity at just $6700 per acre.
Luxury Athens Home Big Yard: This spacious $524,000 home in Athens features an updated kitchen with quartz countertops, five bedrooms including a renovated owner's suite, finished basement, and enormous fenced backyard where one can enjoy ample space for various activities.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
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