On hand for a check donation in the amount of $5,250 from the Beaver Creek Area Association of Realtors to the CAA Healthier Community Pantry were, from left, Linda Courtney, BCAAR board treasurer, and realtor with Towne & Suburban in Salem; James Clark, BCAAR board president, and realtor with Underwood & Associates in East Liverpool; Frank Kostik, BCAAR committee chairman and board member, and realtor with Hardcastle Realty; Jaime Thomas, BCAAR past president, and realtor with Forever Homes; Thomas Andrews, CEO of CAA of Columbiana County; and Roger Bacon, CAA of Columbiana County Board Chairman. (Submitted photo).

LISBON – Through the generosity of the Beaver Creek Area Association of Realtors (BCAAR), many residents in need in Columbiana County will be able to receive nutritious food this holiday season.

A check for $5,250 was given by some members of the BCAAR board to CAA of Columbiana County’s Healthier Community Pantry recently.

“We are experiencing an overall 35 percent increase in visits to our food pantry through the third quarter of 2024,” said Martina Grimm, CAA’s Community Director. “Pantry visits typically increase during the holiday season and this donation could not have come at a better time, as we are anticipating an even greater need this year.”

BCAAR committee and board members solicited sponsorships from local businesses for the “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Saturday afternoon open bowling party held recently at Tri-State Lanes in Calcutta.

The bowling event brought dozens of bowlers who paid to play, with those funds going toward the fundraiser for the CAA food pantry.

The event was the brainchild of Frank Kostik, BCAAR committee chairman and board member.

“We’re your hometown realtors, so it was a perfect fit. We came up with the event name, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors“‘,Ï Kostik, a realtor with Hardcastle Realty, said. “It just fit that we help the food pantry because these are our neighbors that we’re helping.”Ï

The BCAAR is made up of realtors in Columbiana County, Kostik noted.

“This was our initial event, and we would like to continue with this fundraising next year,” he added.

Other money for the pantry was collected through the donation of 30 businesses that sponsored the bowling event banner, according to Linda Courtney, treasurer of the BCAAR, and realtor with Towne & Suburban Realty in Salem. Other businesses donated food for the event.

“Our food pantry serves over 4,500 households on average a year,” said Tom Andrews, CEO of CAA. “These levels have increased over the pandemic and as the cost of living continues to increase. CAA has limited funds to purchase food for our community members who don’t have the resources to adequately feed their family. We are humbled and very thankful for Community partners like the BCAAR who give their time, talent and treasure.”Ï

The CAA Healthier Community Pantry is a consumer choice food pantry that is open to residents of Columbiana County. The pantry provides individuals with dietary restrictions options of healthier food choices. CAA opened the Healthier Community Food Pantry in 2016 with the use of an award of $526,000 in funds received under the Healthier Buckeye Pilot Grant Program.