Due to the rising cost of groceries, utilities, and gas across our nation, state and county, families are struggling to make ends meet. This has left them seeking support and needing assistance to help provide for those, they are caring for on a daily basis.

     Offering an opportunity and raising awareness of the services that businesses and organizations supply, our first ever resource fair was held. Bell County Family and Consumer Science Agent, along with Senior NEP Assistant collaborated with Bell Whitley Community Action Agency, Bell County Family Resource and Youth Service Center Directors, GEAR UP and Partners for Rural Impact to host and plan this event. This resource fair brought everyone together, as a one-stop shop, in a central location to give information on resources and programs available to families in our area.

Twenty-two vendors from around the county participated. Represented resources included:

1. Domestic violence
2. Head Start
3. Workforce Investment Act
4. Banks
5. HANDS program (Health Department)
6. UK Healthcare Kentucky Homeplace
7. Department for Community Based Services ( family support and protection and permanency)
8. Southeast   Community Technical  College
9. ARH Hospital
10. Bell County Board of Education Mental Health Professional
11. Cumberland Valley Children’s Advocacy

Seventeen families visited all the booths at the Resource Fair and all participated in an evaluation revealing that:

1. 100% stated this was the first time they had attended a resource fair.
2. 100% will use and visit the local resources and agencies to follow up with assistance.
3. 100% gained knowledge of at least three new resources they were unaware of in our community.

     Due to the positive feedback from this event, we plan to host another fair next year in our new extension office with more resources and families to attend.