News from Community Resource Services

News from

Community Resource Services

JANUARY 2023

Sometimes CRS offers assistance that might seem like such a small thing like paying a utility bill, or providing a grocery or gas card. To the recipient of the assistance, it means so much more and might even be critical to their making ends meet. We recently received this letter that illustrates exactly why we do what we do. In addition to the financial assistance, we provide kindness and hope to our families too!

Pictured above: Peter Schindler, Community West Senior Grantmaker, Maureen Stanton, Community West Grantmaker, Pam Ohradzansky, CRS Executive Director, Martin Uhle, Community West President & CEO.

Community West Foundation Presents Grant

Community Resource Services was recently awarded a $10,000 operating grant by the Community West Foundation. Community West is known for granting funds to local non-profit agencies that align with their mission of advancing the health and well-being of the community. We were also presented with an additional grant for $2,700 representing generous donations from the Mr. & Mrs. William R. Oatey Fund, The Oatey Foundation and others to the Community West Foundation Community Impact Fund. We are so grateful for our partnership with Community West and their support and trust in our mission to diminish the effects of poverty in Avon and Avon Lake.

Thank you to Crumbl Cookie Avon!

Very special thanks to our friends at the Crumbl Cookie store in Avon! Each week they give us their unsold cookies. We bag them up for our families to enjoy - it's such a special treat for them!

Reusable Bag Contest!

During the last couple of years when we had curb-side pick-up, we distributed groceries to our families in reusable bags. To encourage them to use these reusable bags, we started a "Reusable Bag Contest!" Every time they come to the pantry with the bags, they are entered into a contest to win a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant! We run the contests for about 3 months at a time. This month's winner will get a $50 gift certificate to Old School Pizza & Wings in Avon Lake!

34th Annual Charity Ball!

Sponsorship and auction opportunities are available.

Email Sheila for more information.

NUTRITIONAL FOOD DONATIONS

Our food pantry exists thanks to so many who generously donate. We currently are in need of canned chicken/tuna, jelly, Spaghettios or other canned pasta, chili, Sloppy Joes, Size 6 and 7 diapers. We do not need any canned vegetables or beans right now.

SPECIAL THANKS to everyone that brought toilet paper to the pantry recently! After posting a call for help on our Facebook and Instragram pages, so many of you responded! We have the best donors!!

CRS has been blessed this month with many donations to our food pantry.Thank you to the following businesses and organizations:

Avenbury Ladies of the Lake, Avon Heritage Elementary, Avon Lake Giant Eagle, Avon Lake High School Band, Avon Lake Police Department, Barry Bagels, Chalfant, Christ Church Westshore, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Crumbl Cookie, Eastview Elementary, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #28, Girl Scout Troop 50491, Holy Spirit Church, Holy Trinity Parish, Honey Baked Ham, Hunger Network Food Rescue, North Coast Rotary, Preschool Sports, Rockwood Living, The Goddard School- Avon Lake, Troy Intermediate School, The Vitamin Shoppe, YMCA Caps & Laps. This is in addition to the many individuals who bring donations to the CRS office on a daily basis.

Don't forget to log into the Amazon Smile website when you make your purchases from Amazon! Amazon Smile will donate .5% of your eligible Amazon purchases when you choose "Avon Lake Community Resource Services" as the charity of your choice.

Amazon Smile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same services.

As of November 2022, Amazon Smile has donated $1,119.20 to CRS! Thank you to everyone that has already chosen CRS as your charity!

Please login to smile.amazon.com today to begin supporting CRS while you shop!

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.