Canfield's Operation Blessing

In 1985, Operation Blessing began the work of helping families in Mahoning County when their budgets did not cover their household needs. The Canfield Ministerial Association agreed to support the program which would be housed at the Canfield Presbyterian Church and would combine small church pantries into one.

Operation Blessing currently has about 50 volunteers from all the churches in Canfield. Through Operation Blessing, these volunteers were able to buy chickens, pumpkin, cranberries and other holiday staples in November and December for local families. Toys donated to Operation Blessing also helped make happier holiday seasons for area children. The work of Operation Blessing, however, goes on with the distribution of numerous bags of food on the third Thursday of each and every month of the year. Along with receiving a generous amount of food to take home, clients frequently enjoy a lunch served by the women of the Presbyterian Church.

Financial support and food donations come from Canfield churches, high school groups, community organizations, and many individuals. The following are churches that continue to support Operation Blessing: Canfield Presbyterian, Canfield Christian, St. Michael’s Parish, Calvary Baptist, Canfield United Methodist, Old North, Berlin Center Methodist, Lord of Life Lutheran, and Jubilee Christian Fellowship. A special word of thanks goes out to Canfield Presbyterian for keeping their doors open to Operation Blessing during the remodeling of the church.

Operation Blessing hopes and prays for continued financial support from the community in order to carry on their mission. Ninety-eight percent of the monetary donations to Operation Blessing buy the food which is distributed to those in need. The other 2% covers the cost of postage and thank you notes. For the people of Operation Blessing saying thank you to the community is important. Whether by notes or some other means, groups and individuals need to know what a difference their contributions to Operation Blessing make for others.