Loveland, Ohio – Lend a hand getting the Loveland Learning Garden ready for the new school year on any date below. No registration is required – just show up! Contact info@lovelandlearninggarden.org with questions. Thunderstorm cancels.
Aug 9th 6:30-8pm
Aug 12th 9-11am
Aug 19th 9-11am
Aug 26th 9-11am
Want to teach kids outside?
Seeking Nature Educators to teach daytime or afterschool lessons for 1st-4th graders. Lesson plans provided for delivery in our garden or nature trail. Flexible scheduling.
The gardens are on the campus of the Loveland Primary and Elementary schools at 600 Loveland-Madeira Rd.
Our 20-week school day program is delivered in the spring and fall. It is planned in collaboration with 1st-4th grade teachers to ensure alignment with subjects students are learning in class. Teachers are given online access to the seasonal schedule and voluntarily sign up for topics relevant to their class plans. Students spend time in the garden or nature trail where Nature Educators deliver the session and inspire their imaginations.
Loveland Learning Garden also runs an after-school Outdoor Adventures program, host scout troops and delivers youth-oriented events.
Loveland, Ohio – Last Friday, April 22, Cassie Mattia and myself, along with CeeCee Collins and Meridith Taylor with the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance went to the LIFE Food Pantry to present checks. We were greeted by Pantry Executive Director, Linda Bergholz.
CeeCee presented a check that represented all the VENMO donations that were collected during our Easter Weekend Food Drive. Cassie, who had the vision of holding the food drive on Easter Eve presented a matching check from Loveland Magazine.
The Food Drive was held under the Town Clock in Historic Downtown Loveland.
David Miller, Meridith Taylor (with son), CeeCee Collins, and Cassie Mattia under the Town Clock in Historic Downtown at the start of the Easter Weekend Food Drive.
The Pantry said that as a result of seeing about the Loveland Magazine and Chamber food drive a neighborhood was inspired to do their own. Linda said the current need for food by folks in the community is “enormous”.
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is of the reception we received at the Pantry. It tells the story of how Cassie was led to organize the food drive, how the Chamber so enthusiastically agreed to partner with her, and Linda talks about how the Pantry serves the community and how you can help them. Cassie talks about how easy it is to organize a food drive.
If you feel inspired to make a dollar donation to the Pantry right this moment, please do so with this PayPal link where you can also use your credit card. Or write a check today and mail it to LIFE Food Pantry, 541 Loveland-Madeira Road, Loveland, Ohio 45140.
There are so many ways to get involved! Click Here
RECEIVE FOOD OR ASSISTANCE
To receive food from LIFE, come to our pantry during regular hours and you will be provided groceries on that first visit.
Partnership Benefits
By choosing to partner with LIFE your business will not only provide assistance to the community but LIFE will proudly spread the word about your generosity. See the chart to review all of the benefits our partners will receive.
Loveland, Ohio – The Easter Weekend Food Drive proved nothing is sweeter than Loveland, Ohio!
On Saturday, April 16th in the heart of Downtown Loveland under the historic clock tower we kicked off our first ever Easter Weekend Food Drive benefiting LIFE Food Pantry! I had wanted to lend my time and energy to the LIFE Food Pantry for months, so when LIFE communicated that they were in desperate need of food and that food drives were the best way to gather that much-needed food I knew that this was my chance to give back to a community that had supported me throughout my time with Loveland Magazine.
Once I decided that I was going to organize a food drive I immediately reached out to the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance all-star duo CeeCee Collins and Meredith Taylor. They almost instantly agreed to help with the food drive as they both said that there was nothing more fulfilling than giving back to the community. I was overjoyed by their response and shortly after began working on the logistics.
I knew that I wanted the food drive to be on a day where there would be a lot of foot traffic on the Loveland Bike Trail but also envisioned doing it on a day that meant something. After brainstorming with CeeCee and Meredith, we landed on having the food drive on Easter Weekend! Having the food drive during Easter Weekend to me meant that I could help families less fortunate have the opportunity to celebrate Easter like my family and I had been lucky enough to do for the past several decades.
One of the biggest deciding factors in having a food drive during this particular time of year was because LIFE Food Pantry is almost always in desperate need of food donations due to a slower rate of donations coming in. To put it in perspective, just by holding this one food drive on Easter Weekend, we not only helped provide “staples” and everyday necessities to local families that then freed up money in their budgets so that they could celebrate a holiday like Easter, we also gave these same local families the opportunity to buy Easter candy for their baskets, decorate eggs, enjoy a beautiful Easter brunch, and hunt for chocolate bunnies on Easter morning! That thought alone made the Easter Weekend Food Drive that much more special to me.
After weeks of planning, passing out flyers around town, gathering Easter decorations, stuffing Easter eggs with candy, finalizing details with local restaurants and LIFE Food Pantry, writing food drive stories in Loveland Magazine, and spreading the word on social media, the day of the Easter Weekend Food Drive finally came! We set up our beautifully decorated Easter tent under the historic clock tower in Downtown Loveland and prepared for a fun-filled day of giving back.
The food drive kicked off at 10 am and almost immediately we began getting food, cash, and Venmo donations. For each donation, we received we made sure to express our gratitude followed by an Easter egg filled with candy! Parents and their children loved that we were celebrating giving back by wearing bunny ears and giving out Easter eggs! The day itself couldn’t have gone any better.
The Easter Weekend Food Drive wrapped up at 5 pm and as we were cleaning up the overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude touched us all. Those feelings alone were enough for me to agree to make the Easter Weekend Food Drive an annual event!
The Easter Weekend Food Drive collected $290 dollars in Venmo and cash donations and over 75 pounds of food for the LIFE Food Pantry. Needless to say, the food drive was an absolute success!
There were so many individuals and local businesses that helped make the Easter Weekend Food Drive possible and I want to take the time now to express how thankful I am:
Thanks to CeeCee Collins and Meredith Taylor from the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance for all of your help and guidance in organizing my first food drive!
Thanks to David Miller for helping spread the word and volunteering your time at the food drive!
Thanks to Loveland Magazine Interns Mahi Sheth and Sean Behling for taking time out of your day to volunteer at the food drive!
Thanks to all the downtown Loveland businesses for being so supportive of this food drive by hanging up our flyers and spreading the word!
Thanks to the Works Pizza for being a donation drop-off spot!
Thanks to the City of Loveland’s Krista Rose and Publisher of Loveland Lifestyle Magazine Emily Barlow for helping spread the word about the food drive on your platforms!
Thanks to Nancy and Jay Grant for volunteering your time at the food drive!
Thanks to LIFE Food Pantry and Linda Bergholtz for directing us on how to run a great food drive!
Last but not certainly least, thanks to the wonderful people that came out and donated food or money to the Easter Weekend Food Drive! You are directly responsible for making a difference in many local families’ lives!
Enjoy the slideshow of the photos I, Sean Behling, Adam Ploof, and David Miller took at the Easter Weekend Food Drive!
If you would like to help the pantry by volunteering, holding your own food drive or would like to donate dollars, please visit their WEB SITE. If you are in need of food or financial assistance you will learn about that also.
For Loveland event updates and coverage, stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!
Loveland, Ohio – Spring has sprung which means the Easter Bunny will be paying Loveland a visit very soon! What better way to celebrate Easter than by giving back to those in need within the community. Join Loveland Magazine and the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) for the Easter Weekend Food drive benefiting LIFE Food Pantry!
Easter weekend, for me, is one of the most coveted times to make memories with my family as we come together to enjoy a nice home-cooked meal and exchange Easter baskets filled with goodies. This year, I wanted to make sure that families less fortunate had the opportunity to celebrate Easter like my family and myself have been lucky enough to do for the past several decades. I knew that Loveland’s local food pantry, LIFE, was in desperate need of food donations as this time of year is often a slower time for incoming donations. I had chatted back and forth with some of the wonderful women from LIFE a couple of months ago and promised them that I would find a way to organize a food drive. I searched my brain for those that would be interested in joining me to help make this food drive happen. That’s when I thought, “I should ask CeeCee Collins and Meredith Taylor from the LMRCA to help me make this food drive a reality!” I emailed CeeCee and Meredith and explained my vision and seconds later they were on board! I was overcome with joy!
Meredith Taylor
CeeCee Collins
Over the past several weeks, Meredith, CeeCee, and I have worked hard to make this unbelievable Easter Weekend Food Drive the best it could possibly be, and needless to say, I couldn’t be happier with what we have in store for the Food Drive! Loveland Magazine, the LMRCA, and LIFE would love nothing more than all of those within our amazing community to come out on April 16th between 10 a.m-5 p.m and donate to the Easter Weekend Food Drive!
Here are some important Easter Weekend Food Drive details:
We will be stationed next to the historic clock tower in Downtown Loveland right along the Loveland Bike Trail. You will see our decked Easter-themed tent!
You may pull your vehicle into the “Carry-Out” Parking spots next to where we will have our tent and we can easily grab your donations straight from your vehicle! You won’t even have to leave your vehicle if you so choose!
Each week LIFE lists on their website homepage their current donation needs so before you stop by our Food Drive to donate check out their list here!
If you can’t make our Easter Weekend Food Drive or would just simply rather donate money to LIFE you can do so by scanning the QR code below, although we would love to see all of your smiling faces in person at the Food Drive!
There will also be another Easter Weekend Food Drive donation box at The Works Pizza so feel free to drop off donations there as well if you’re looking to grab a pizza on your way out!
Be sure to bring the kids as we will be handing out candy-filled Easter eggs!
To Donate to the Easter Weekend Food Drive Scan the QR Code Above!
We hope to see all of you at the Easter Weekend Food Drive! If you have any questions about the Easter Weekend Food Drive please contact me, Cassie Mattia, or Meredith Taylor! Help us help those in need have a beautiful Easter too!
Look for us under the Town Clock at the Loveland Bike Trail.
For the latest Loveland community events stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!
Loveland, Ohio – Are you a local business, organization, church, or school that is looking for an opportunity to give back to the community? Well now is your chance as LIFE Food Pantry needs your help!
During this time of the year donations to food pantries tend to slow down while the need for donations either stays the same or increases. This issue is a constant battle every year. In order for LIFE Food Pantry to continue serving the 45140 zip code by providing food, financial assistance, and additional programs for those in need, they are asking for the community to rally around one another and host food drives!
Food Drives not only help stock LIFE Food Pantry’s shelves but also raise awareness in the community and encourage groups of people to come together for a great cause. Anyone can host a food drive and anyone can participate, you just have to be willing to organize it and make it happen! In the past businesses and organizations such as Loveland High School’s Tiger Inc, the Loveland Symmes Police Department, Loveland’s Kroger, Paxton’s Grill, the Loveland Athletic Boosters, and many more have hosted successful food drives. Doing good can be fun as you can be as creative as you want to be when organizing and hosting a food drive!
Ready for the challenge?! If you would like to host a food drive visit LIFE Food Pantry’s website, call the pantry at 513-583-8222, or shoot them an email. You can always stop by to discuss food drive possibilities as LIFE Food Pantry is located at 541 Loveland-Madeira Rd, Loveland Ohio 45140 and their hours are Tuesday 10 a.m.-12 p.m and 4-6:30 p.m, Wednesday 10 a.m.-12 p.m, Thursday 10 a.m.-12 p.m and 4-6:30 p.m, Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m, and Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
For the latest local news and updates stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!
Loveland, Ohio – LIFE is a faith and community-supported organization that provides food, financial assistance and programs to those experiencing hardship in the greater Loveland area.
Without the gift of volunteers, the LIFE mission would not be able to function. If you are interested in sharing your time and/or talents with us, please contact Barb Wagner for general interest or sign up for specific roles below.
FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERING
Volunteers are needed during normal Food Pantry hours to assist with the distribution of food and helping families. For more information contact the pantry or use our online LIFE Food Pantry Sign Up
DONATION PICK UP
There is an amazing network of local businesses that regularly donate extra food to the LIFE Food Pantry. Volunteers are needed to pick up food and deliver it to the pantry. There are slots almost every day of the week and it is a great way to help LIFE! For more information contact the pantry or use our online Donation Delivery Sign Up.
WEEKEND BAGS: FORMERLY THE BREAKFAST CLUB (TBC)
LIFE is providing food to children and their families in the Loveland City School District for weekends and extended breaks. The children are qualified through recommendation of their teacher or guidance counselor. If you are interested in helping pack the take-home bags, please contact Dawn Caines or use online Weekend Bag Sign Up.
PROGRAM VOLUNTEER
LIFE runs numerous seasonal programs throughout the year and needs volunteers for each. If you would like to be contacted for any of those programs please use our Contact Form
#GivingTuesday is right around the corner, November 28. It’s a global day of giving and a day when you can make an impact on low-income children and families in Loveland.
The need in our community is real. Loveland has nearly 1,000 residents classified as low to moderate income. We are helping bridge the gap for local children and families in need.
Our Impact:
Backpack Program – 300 children and their families served annually
Thank you to Loveland Magazine for their continued promotional support.
The Loveland Initiative is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and has been in the community for over 20 years. We are dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in Loveland. Our programs help lower income residents meet basic needs along with educational enrichment. We are a need based, all volunteer, mission focused, and community based organization. If you would like more information about The Loveland Initiative or its programs, please visit our website at www.lovelandinitiative.org or contact Terri Rogers, Executive Director at 513-739-2354 or trogers7@fuse.net.
Texas National Guard soldiers conduct rescue operations in flooded areas around Houston, Texas 27 August, 2017. (Photos by 1Lt. Zachary West, 100th MPAD
Are you organizing to provide
Hurricane Harvey relief?
Here is how Loveland Magazine can help
Hello neighbors, friends, and readers,
If you are part of a local nonprofit, Mosque, Synagog, Church, school, company, or community group assisting the victims of Hurricane Harvey please send us information so Loveland Magazine can share it with the broader community.
Please be very specific about what you are doing, besides the Who, Why, What, When, and Where, provide us with specific information about what items you are collecting, and collection hours.
Please illustrate a proven need for items you might be collecting, and links to where your donations, etc., will ultimately be sent.
We will publish a list of ways local folks can help with relief efforts, but not if you do not send us information that people can use to best determine how to effectively help.
If you are heading to Texas or Louisiana to volunteer we’d also like to help tell your story.
We promise the best customer service, and beyond a doubt, the best selection of merchandise in the area Pizazz Studio is a whimsical gift shop in downtown Loveland.
Backpack Program
Christmas Toy Store
Tracy L. Johnson Scholarship
Special Thanks to our campaign sponsor, 
