News from Community Resource Services

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News from

Community Resource Services

January 2025

Food insecurity continues to be a significant challenge for the families we serve. Many of our clients live paycheck to paycheck and earn just above the income threshold to qualify for food assistance programs like food stamps. CRS plays a crucial role in helping these families overcome the challenge of affording groceries.

In 2024, families accessed our food pantry programs more than 6,000 times, including the distribution of 644 food gift cards—a 12% increase compared to 2023.

We couldn’t provide this vital service without the generous support of local organizations, churches, businesses, and individuals. Thank you for making this possible!

John T. Shook Community Service Award

Award Nominations Now Being Accepted

Deadline to Submit Nominations is March 5, 2025

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 5, 2025.

Goodbye Karen!

Please join us in saying goodbye and best wishes to an invaluable member of our team, Karen Veselic, as she embarks on the next chapter in life. Karen was a meticulous bookkeeper, consistently demonstrating professionalism and attention to detail. We're grateful for her contributions and the positive impact she's made at CRS. We wish her all the best - with lots of time filled with family, and well-deserved relaxation!

Student Board of Directors Position Available

The Board of Directors of Community Resource Services will be seeking a high school student from Avon High School to serve as the student representative to the board. The applicant should be a sophomore or junior entering the 2025-2026 academic school year. The position is for a two or three year term. Deadline to apply is May 1, 2025. Click here for more information and to access the application.

Pantry Volunteers Needed

Are are you looking for a meaningful way to give back? CRS is in need of dedicated volunteers to assist in our food pantry. As a volunteer, you'll play a vital role by weighing, sorting and stocking food pantry donations, as well as packing food bags for our clients. No prior experience is necessary - just a willingness to help! If you are interested in volunteering 2-3 hours/week, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Amy, for more information. She can be reached at agood@aalcrs.org.

2025 Charity Ball News!

We are excited to announce the 36th Annual Charity Ball which will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the Shipyards Event Center in Lorain. 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 February!

We are currently in need of canned fruit, cereal, jelly (plastic jars, please), hearty soups, canned chili and stews.

If you are able to donate it would be greatly appreciated. We accept donations during our regular business hours, Monday - Friday, from 10am - 2pm. .Just drive down the alley behind our office and ring the doorbell by the CRS sign. Thank you!!

*We cannot accept clothing, household items or medical supplies. Thank you!

We are closed on Monday, January 20th in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

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:

The 401 Bounty Way Book Club, Aqua Marine Apartments, Avenbury Ladies of the Lake, Avon Anesthesiology Group, Avon Lake Police Department, Avon-on-the-Lake Garden Club, Christ Church Westshore, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Erie Outfitters, Eyring Movers, Goddard School of Avon Lake, Holy Spirit Church, Holy Trinity Parish, John Pyke Dentistry, Lake Shore United Methodist Church-Women of Faith, Mighty Goliath Players, Preschool Sports, Redwood K Kids, Rockwood Living, Sunday Night Bookies, Troy Intermediate School, Avon Lake United Methodist Church, Vitalia Westlake.

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