Samaritan Outreach brings free tax filing to Highland County communities
By Wade Hamilton
Director
Samaritan Outreach Services
Starting Thursday, Feb. 19, Samaritan Outreach will be bringing the services of the Ohio Benefit Bank to Lynchburg, Greenfield and Leesburg residents.
While Samaritan Outreach is known for the full-choice food pantry it operates for Highland County residents, it also serves as an Ohio Benefit Bank location. Several Samaritan Outreach staff members and volunteers are Ohio Benefit Bank Counselors and regularly help folks apply for various programs, including: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Food Assistance, Women Infants and Children, Health Care Programs, Medicaid, Ohio’s Best RX, Home Energy Assistance Program, Golden Buckeye, Senior Employment Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Voter Registration and more.
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This year Samaritan’s Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) counselors have taken the OBB Tax Counselor Training Course and will be providing free federal, state and school district tax filing for any Highland County resident making less than $65,000 for a single return or less than $95,000 for a joint return.
Self-serve computer stations are also available at Samaritan Outreach for free tax filing or OBB applications.
Some restrictions may apply. Appointments are available in Hillsboro by calling 937-393- 2220.
Samaritan Outreach will also be providing free tax filing and all
Ohio Benefit Bank services at the Greenfield Public Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 19 and March 19, at the Leesburg Public Library from noon-5 p.m. on Feb. 26 and March 26, and at the Lynchburg Public Library from noon-5 p.m. on March 12 and April 2.
For an appointment please call 937-393-2220.
For more information, visit ourpantry.org or call 937-393-2220.
Samaritan Outreach Services was formed in 1989 by Jean Carson and her husband, the Reverend John Carson, rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Hillsboro. They, along with Michael Malony, organized religious and community leaders to discuss how best to meet human needs in the face of scarce social services in Highland County. They worked with both the Episcopal Appalachian Ministries and the Catholic Social Services in Cincinnati to create Samaritan Outreach Services. Today, Samaritan Outreach Services is a stand-alone, nonprofit organization serving the greater Highland County area.