Respite Center at Vineyard Church hosts Community Picnic

MUSKINGUM COUNTY, Ohio- A community picnic was held today by The Respite Center at Vineyard Church to bring the community together and spread awareness of other local agencies.

The free “Come Get Your Grill On” picnic welcomed everyone. Members of Vineyard Church, the health department and Allwell Behavioral Health were a few local agencies in attendance. The community picnic hosted games, prayers and hotdogs and hamburgers. In addition, Matt Frampton performed music.

“I feel like we should come together as a unity, as one as a community. It’s not just an individual problem, it’s the whole problem and we’re supposed to meet people where they’re at and be accepted. That’s what I try to create here and just get everybody working together… I came from a background of homelessness myself and addicted and things like that. In 2018 I turned my life around, so I just give it to the next person to pay it forward,” Respite Center Manager Jill Sharrer said.

Shrivers Hospice was also there giving away 25 Covid-19 vaccines.

“I don’t think we should exclude the homeless from any services, especially when it comes to health care,” Shrivers Hospice Referral Advocate Trudy Fischer said.

A barber will be giving out haircuts at The Respite Center at Vineyard Church on June 23. A lasagna lunch will be provided as well as free t-shirts, personal care bags and boxed dinners. This event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.