Mount Vernon Town Money Saver | June 2024

MOUNT VERNON

Shop locally. Save locally.

Place 4

GRACE

SO MUCH MORE THAN A SAFE PLACE

Place 4 Grace (P4G) maternity housing is so much more than a safe place; they’re a Christ-centered home where single pregnant women learn independence and financial security while building positive family cycles through education and everyday family living.

P4G was founded by Kandee Popham and Kim White in 2016. Since then, they’ve helped more than 100 moms and their children. In 2023 alone, 36 moms were served, which resulted in 83 individual lives being positively impacted.

Their vision is to be a community of homes where unwed pregnancies are transformed into generations of Christ-centered families. Their mission is to educate and minister Christ’s love and grace to single, pregnant women and their children in a safe, secure, stable home environment and eliminate generational cycles of unwed pregnancy, poverty, abuse and addiction.

While P4G’s ultimate desire is to begin providing residential services in Knox County, they are currently helping moms and babies through a large variety of situations, gathering resources for their specific needs, and being a guiding hand as they navigate life’s challenges.

Place 4 Grace has served more than 100 mothers and their children.

Place 4 Grace Services

Place 4 Grace offers a comprehensive program, Grow in Grace (GiG), with deep life mentoring and access to various resources, our participants engage in a diverse range of educational and skill-building opportunities, including:

- Attainment of a high school diploma

- Vocational education

- Pursuit of a college degree

- Development of parenting skills

- Acquisition of employment skills/business skills

- Training in budgeting and financial management

- Instruction in cooking, nutrition, meal planning

- Learning cleaning and home management techniques

- Exploring gardening and food preservation

- Cultivating Christian living principles

- Setting and achieving personal goals

- Nurturing healthy relationship skills

One-time gifts are a beautiful blessing, but consistent monthly givers are what really help with reliability. Aside from a great financial need, other ways to help are: donating items to our thrift store, volunteering your time at thrift or the home, mentoring moms, or using your special talents and giftings to bring specific help that mommas could use, and prayer.To support P4G financially, please contact 740-847-2232 or visit place4grace.com.

P4GThrift is located at 506 N. Main St., MountVernon

BEYOND THE GRAIN

Deb VanTilburg’s Artistic Vision for Live Edge Heirlooms

Deb VanTilburg’s passion for live edge wood transformed Living on the Edge (LOTE) from a simple online store into a company cra ing heirloom-quality pieces. Deb’s appreciation for natural wood’s beauty fuels her mission to elevate live edge creations from functional objects to works of art.

LOTE prioritizes traditional cra smanship, ensuring each piece tells the story of the wood itself. Deb’s approach blends rustic charm with modern design, resulting in pieces that not only enhance a space but also inspire connection with nature.

What sets LOTE apart is Deb’s personal touch. Her meticulous hand- nishing, sustainable practices, and bespoke customization re ect her dedication to excellence. Each project is a collaboration, transforming client visions into reality.

Looking ahead, Deb’s leadership steers LOTE towards exciting ventures like charcuterie board workshops. ese initiatives showcase her passion for sharing her cra and fostering a connection with the community.

Living on the Edge is more than a business; it’s the embodiment of Deb’s artistic vision. It’s a culmination of passion, inspiration, and a commitment to cra ing beauty from nature. Each LOTE piece is an heirloom destined to be cherished, carrying the legacy of nature into homes for generations.

Deb VanTilburg — Owner

Savory Summer Eats

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs. asparagus spears, trimmed 4”-5” tips

• 6 – 10 Slices of Prosciutto (thinly sliced)

• Cream Cheese (or Goat Cheese) softened

Instructions

Blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 1 min. Transfer to an ice bath for about 1 min. to stop the cooking. Slice the Prosciutto lengthwise into 3” long strips. Dab the ends of the Prosciutto with the cheese and wrap around the asparagus. Chill.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked rice (cooled)

• 1 large zucchini • 2 green onions

• 3 Tbs bottled CREAMY Italian dressing

• ¼ tps black pepper • 1 avocado (optional)

• 1 Tbs lemon juice (if adding avocado)

Stuffed Burgers

Instructions

Zucchini & Rice Salad

Instructions

Steam zucchini, slice into ¼” pieces. Reserve a few slices for garnish. Thinly slice green onion. Mix zucchini & green onions together with the rice and dressing.

Just before serving, peel the avocado, slice & dip in the lemon juice. Arrange around the salad (or gently toss into salad). Or simply garnish with zucchini slices.

1. Heat the grill.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. ground beef, 85% lean

• 2 tbsp. chopped garlic

• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

• 3 tbsp. herbed garlic cream cheese, i.e. Boursin

• Oil for coating grill grate

2. Mix the beef, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl until well blended; form into 12 patties no more than 1/2” thick.

3. Put about 1 1/2 tsp. of cream cheese in the center of each of the 6 patties; top with the remaining patties and press together, taking care to seal the edges well. Refrigerate the burgers until the grill is ready.

4. Brush the grill grate and coat it with oil. Put the burgers on the grill, cover and cook for 9 min, ipping after 5 min, for medium-done (slightly pink). Add a minute per side for well-done.

5. To toast the buns, put them cut-sides down directly over the re for the last minute of cooking.