Westerville Cares See the good that’s happening right under our noses By Sarah Robinson
W
ith all the changes that have been made these past months, it’s no wonder giving back has changed, too. The Westerville Area Resource Ministry, Westerville Caring and Sharing, and Neighborhood Bridges have all adapted to the circumstances and are giving a helping hand to the community in a time when they are needed most. Now more than ever, these local organizations and non-profits need your help to make it through the holidays. Here’s how their operations have changed and how you can get involved today. Westerville Area Resource Ministry WARM quickly adapted its services and volunteer programs to roll with the times and address the needs of the community. “These past six months have challenged us to meet our community’s ever-growing needs,” says Pam Aylor, a member of the WARM development and communication team. WARM made some major changes to its operations, including creating a drivethrough pickup model for the food pantry and farmers’ market, joining virtual job fairs with the Way2Work program, and expanding the sites around Westerville for the summer Kids Lunch Club Program. “At the start of the pandemic, Westerville City offered their Utility Payment Holiday and requested for those that were able, to donate the payment to a favorite local charity,” says Aylor. “We were humbled by those blessings from many of you, which have allowed us to serve the increasing numbers of those in need.” Now, WARM is working to improve its drive-through pickup model by providing clients with the opportunity to choose the foods in their box. Staff is also researching ways to reach more families in need.
24 November/December 2020
“We continue to need volunteers to work sorting donations, packing boxes and delivering food boxes to our clients’ cars during our drive-through pickup times,” Aylor says. “We also have volunteers that have tasks they accomplish at home, which keeps them safe while also actively supporting WARM and our clients, for those that prefer to help from home.” Coming up next is the annual holiday food drive, and there is a pressing need for volunteers. “This is a no-contact, socially distanced, fun activity for your safe pandemic group,” says Aylor. To donate, volunteer or reach out for more information, email Aylor at pam@ warmwesterville.org.
Westerville Area Resource Ministry
Westerville Caring and Sharing True to its yearly schedule, Caring and Sharing still hosted its annual Back to School supply drive in August by providing book bags, school supplies, personal products and gift cards for new clothing to eligible families in the Westerville School District. “We would typically have an event that allowed each family to come to our donated location, pick out their book bags
and other items, and be able to talk to each other one on one,” says Mary Pugh, vice president of Caring and Sharing. “Of course, this year we could not, so we did a drive-through event and simply handed (families) their pre-packed items.” One of the considerations Caring and Sharing has taken into account is the safety of both its volunteers and those it helps. That means fewer face-to-face interactions and a shift in the usual holiday gift drive. This year, Caring and Sharing staff will be collecting gift cards and monetary donations to give to families in need. “We wish it could be more personal,” says Pugh. “In order to do this, we will need to ask the community to support us the same as they so generously have in the
Westerville Caring and Sharing
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