The Services provided specifically at the Marian Clark Center in Marion County Include:
▪ Gasoline Cards for scheduled medical appointments are available on a limited basis for appointments in the Mansfield or Columbus areas. The customer must provide an appointment card or a faxed verification from the office of the attending physician. Assistance, when available, can only be provided once every six (6) months per household due to funding limitations. As the funding for this program is limited, customers should contact the Marian Clark Center at 740-383-2154 to insure that funds are available.
▪ H2O funding (assistance with water bills for Ohio American Water Company customers) is periodically available through the Center. Funding for the bill assistance program is provided by Ohio American Water Company and St. Vincent de Paul. As a result of the limited funding, customers can only receive assistance one time during a 12-month period. To receive the assistance a household must be in a shut off situation for no more than 10 days or have a disconnect notice. Funding is not available for requests for new service. As the funding for this program is limited, customers should contact the Marian Clark Center at 740-383-2154 to insure that funds are available.
▪ The Summer Crisis Program (also referred to as Summer HEAP) is available at the center during the months of July and August. Income eligible customers over the age of 60 can qualify for assistance towards their electric bill and possibly receive fans. Those ages 59 or younger may also receive assistance if they have an appropriate physician’s authorization of need. To schedule an appointment for the office during the cooling season (July, August) customers should call 1-866-861-6421.
▪ The Winter Crisis Program (Emergency HEAP) is provided at the Marian Clark Center site during the months of November through March of each year. The program provides assistance with primary heating sources for customers at or below 200% of the poverty level and facing a shut-off situation. The program also assists customers who are on bulk fuel with less than a 10-day supply of fuel on hand. Appointments for assistance during the program operation period can be obtained by call 1-866-861-6421. The Center Staff can also assist customers of regulated utilities with Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) re-verification as needed. Additional information regarding this program can be found by referencing the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) at this website.
▪ The Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) and additional energy conservation programs operated for Columbia Gas Customers and Ohio Edison customers are operated by OHCAC at another Marion location. Center staff can assist with applications and information regarding program guidelines, services and time frames. Services provided for eligible households can include appliance replacement and home insulation. To contact the Marion Housing and Weatherization Office directly call 740-387-9703.
▪ CHORE is a program to assist Marion County residents over the age of 60 with minor household chores to maintain a safe living environment. Types of assistance that can be provided include: installation of grab bars, cleaning out gutters on 1 story homes, light bulb installation, smoke detector battery replacement, and window air conditioner installation. Due to funding limitations, cosmetic work is not available. The program is funded through a grant from the Marion County Council on Aging.
▪ The Marion Senior Nutrition Program includes both onsite congregate meals and home delivered meals. Congregate Meals are available for seniors over the age of 60 at the Marian Clark Center on a daily basis at 11:30 am. Seniors interested in participating in the regular meal should contact the meal site directly at 740-375-0202 for details and to insure that the appropriate number of meals is available for the attendees.
Home Delivered Meals are available to homebound seniors in Marion County on a limited basis based on funding availability. Although there is often a waiting list to receive assistance, interested seniors should contact the meal site directly at 740-375-0202 to receive information regarding the delivery service. The program combines Title III, Council on Aging and Passport funded meals which have similar but not identical program regulations. Meals are delivered between the hours of 11 am and 2 pm daily excluding weekends and scheduled holidays. Meals are prepared for the program through a contract with the Marion General Hospital. Donations for both congregate and home delivered meals are accepted to support the program.
▪ The Summer Reading Program provides individualized reading and mathematical assistance to Marion County grade school students over a six-week period during the months of June and July. The program works closely with Marion City Schools and provides a safe, wholesome summer educational experience. Further information may be obtained by contacting center staff at the Marian Clark Center.
▪ The United Community Rx Program is a unique collaborative program in Marion County. The program, which is funded by the Marion Community Foundation, United Way of Marion County and the Community Services Block Grant, assists Marion residents to obtain prescriptions in an affordable manner for immediate and ongoing needs. For the convenience of program participants the assistance office is located in the Smith Clinic at 1040 Delaware Avenue in Marion. Further information can be obtained by contacting staff at 1-740-383-7716.
