News from Community Resource Services

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News from

Community Resource Services

December 2023

In recent years, the rising cost of rent has become a pressing issue, particularly for individuals and families living paycheck to paycheck. The majority of their income is already allocated to essential expenses such as food, utilities, and healthcare. Now an even larger portion of their income is being diverted to housing, leaving little room for savings or unforeseen expenses.

We recently met with a new client - a single mom with two children who was struggling to pay her rent. She works at a factory that temporarily shut down for a couple of weeks in December. With her young children home on school break, she couldn’t afford to get a seasonal job and pay for daycare. CRS was able to help her with a portion of her rent. Additionally, she participated in Santa’s Workshop, alleviating some of her stress during the holidays. She was extremely grateful for our assistance.

In 2023 the CRS food pantry distributed over 104,000 pounds of food. 90% of the food we distributed was donated through food drives by local schools, churches, businesses, and organizations or by individuals that wanted to support our pantry. In 2023 we also distributed $26,925 in grocery store gift cards (1,077 cards at $25 each) so our clients could purchase perishable items like milk, cheese, meat and produce. Thank you to everyone that donated to support our neighbors in need! We couldn't do it without you!

John T. Shook Community Service Award

Award Nominations Now Being Accepted

Deadline to Submit Nominations is March 15, 2024

The John T. Shook Community Service Award pays tribute to a very special friend and longtime CRS Board member who passed away in 2018. John touched the lives of many people in our community. He was dedicated to community service and he volunteered for many local organizations including CRS. In John’s memory, the CRS Board of Directors established an award in his name, to be given annually to an individual or group that embodies John’s commitment to volunteerism in our local community.

We are now accepting nominations for this award. If you know of an individual or organization that has been dedicated to volunteering for CRS or other organizations in our community, please complete this nomination form. Evaluation of the nominees will be conducted by a selection committee and the recipient will be announced at the Annual Charity Ball being held on April 20, 2024.

Student Board of Directors Position Available

The Board of Directors of Community Resource Services will be seeking a high school student from Avon Lake High School to serve as the student representative to the board. The applicant should be a sophomore or junior entering the 2024-2025 academic school year. The position is for a two or three year term. Deadline to apply is May 1, 2024. Click here for more information and to access the application.

2024 Charity Ball News!

We are excited to announce the 35th Annual Charity Ball which will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Sponsorship opportunities at all levels are currently available! We are also collecting donations to be used in our live and silent auctions. If you would like more information, please click here to email Sheila.

The Charity Ball is our biggest fundraiser of the year! Watch for more information about this fantastic event! Tickets will go on sale in March!

CRS has been blessed this month with many donations of non-perishable items for our food pantry!Thank you to the following businesses and organizations:

Avenbury Ladies of the Lake, Avon East Elementary School, Avon Lake Giant Eagle, Avon Lake High School Student Council, Avon Local Schools, Avon on the Lake Garden Club, Barry Bagels, Beachpark Towers, Christ Church Westshore, Heritage Elementary School-Avon, Holy Spirit Church, Holy Trinity Parish, Amy Margiotti-Howard Hanna, Hunger Network Food Rescue, Lake Erie Crushers, Lakeshore United Methodist Church, Lorain County Joint Vocational School, Moose's Mission, Parker's Grille & Tavern, Primrose School of Avon, Redwood K Kids, The Cove in Avon Lake, The Wine Room and The Vitamin Shoppe Avon.

We are so grateful for all of the donations that help keep our food pantry well stocked. Thank you for making a difference, right here at home!

Community Resource Services is a responsive, community-based organization whose mission is to diminish the effect of poverty in Avon and Avon Lake. We provide basic needs assistance and individualized resource and referral services in a compassionate and confidential manner.

We believe in a community where every resident is free from poverty.

Community Resource Services | 440-933-5639 | aalcrs.org

33479 Lake Road, Suite C, Avon Lake, OH 44012