COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Gahanna Residents in Need Serving Gahanna for 50 Years By Michele Mooney
Happy Anniversary, GRIN! In 1972, the Gahanna Rotary, the Gahanna Ministerial Association, and (then) Pastor Wagner of Mifflin Presbyterian Church identified a need within the community and began a program to distribute food to those in need. Fifty years later, the result of those efforts - Gahanna Residents in Need (better known as GRIN) has become a support center for thousands of Gahanna residents each year, offering everything from food, diapers, utility assistance, school supplies, and financial counseling, to summer lunches to school-age children. Gahanna businesses and groups are helping GRIN celebrate its 50th anniversary throughout the year by hosting weekly or monthly challenges to support the ever-evolving organization. The supporting business or organization works with GRIN to identify the organization’s most immediate needs. Whether it has been bottles of laundry detergent, jars of peanut butter or boxes of pancake mix, the challenges have resulted in a groundswell of community support for GRIN.
According to Brenda Johnston, Executive Director for GRIN, the organization continuously adapts to meet the changing needs of the community. She noted that the generosity of GRIN’s volunteers, neighbors, and partners like Meijer, Trillium Farms, Klosterman Bread, and Panera Bread, enable the organization to provide a helping hand to partners, whether during a pandemic, an economic downturn, or a difficult time. “If we have a family in need, we are able to reach out to the Gahanna community: churches, schools, city offices, local businesses and individuals, and take care of those needs,” said Johnston. “ I have seen so many families overcome their situations because GRIN was able to help with food, or utility assistance thanks to the support of the community.” Join in the GRINiversary celebration! Check out GRIN on Facebook (@GRIN) or Twitter (@GRIN4Gahanna) for GRINiversary Challenges!
↑ Brenda Johnston, with GRIN
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UNIQUELY GAHANNA • JUNE 2022
