2 012
On June 2, LSS held its signature anniversary event, the LSS Family Reunion. A couple hundred supporters came to the event, which featured a giant inflatable slide, climbing wall, bounce house, a clown, music, a dunk tank, food and more.
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio Newsletter
“This is so much fun,” said one attendee. “It’s a great way to entertain the kids and get out and visit with other church members.”
Moving on Up...on the Westside
Summer Quarter
Thank you all who attended!
Inside President’s Message pg. 2 Step Up to the Plate with LSS pg. 2 Honoring the Past pg. 3 Tracing its roots to 1912, LSS is a nonprofit social service agency affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and recognized by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. LSS provides human services for all people according to their needs. These services include food pantries, emergency shelters, affordable senior housing, retirement services, skilled nursing care and other services that strengthen communities.
A Summer Free From Hunger pg. 3
Yes, I would like to help LSS and its programs
Food, Fun and Fellowship pg. 4
I want to help those in need by giving to Lutheran Social Services, so it may continue to support the mission of Here’s my gift of: $1,000 Please Use it for: The greatest need
Creating a Better World by Serving People in Need.
$500
Other ____________________ I am interested in making an estate gift Check here if you are a Thrivent member
$100
$50
LEADER
THE
Food, Fun and Fellowship
$25
Method of Payment: Check
Other______________ Visa
Mastercard
AmEx
Discover
Name on credit card (please print)__________________________________________ Card number: ____________/____________/____________/____________ Expiration Month:______________________Year_______________
2,500 square feet. That’s about how much space was at the old LSS Food Pantry on Sullivant Ave. in Columbus’ Westside. The new Westside Food Pantry at 82 N. Wilson Rd, which opened in April, has 10,000 square feet, making it the largest food pantry in the city. A benefit of having so much space is room for fresh produce. Ten pallets to be exact. While fresh produce was available at the old location, there wasn’t room for any pallets, making it more difficult to supply a variety of fruits and vegetables, which are of course essential to healthy living. “There’s a tremendous need on the Westside, and we feel blessed to be able to have a role in alleviating hunger,” said Brad Draper, corporate director of food pantry services. “This pantry has been in the works for a while, and we are happy we finally found the perfect location.” Among the areas served by the pantry is the zip code with the highest percentage of SNAP (food stamps) enrollments for the county as well as the zip codes with the highest and third highest number of people who receive SNAP benefits. In the five zip codes served by the pantry, there are approximately 31,000 people receiving food benefits. Gerry knows all too well about the poverty faced by residents of the Westside. He’s been coming to the food pantry, first on Sullivant Ave. and now the new facility, off and on for about five years. During this time, he’s also volunteered a lot. “The only way I know how to give is to volunteer,” said Gerry. “I don’t have money to give, but I can give time.” Recently, Gerry was doing better and thought
“It’s hard to deal with life sometimes, but the pantry helps me a lot.”
Pantry Manager Jan Edwards (r) hugs a supporter at the pantry open house. he was finally getting to a spot where he was financially secure. Then his landlord sold the house Gerry was living in, and the only place he could find to live was $100 more in rent a month. “It’s hard to deal with life sometimes, but the pantry helps me a lot.” By the end of its first operating year, the goal is for the Westside pantry to be serving twice as many people as served by the old pantry. To help, please call 614-228-5200.
Signature_____________________________________________________________
Please make your check payable to Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio 500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste. 245 • Worthington, Ohio 43085 Name _____________________________________________ or donate online at: www.lssco.org Address ____________________________________________ Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. City/State/Zip_______________________________________ You will receive a receipt. Phone ( )______________________ Email_____________________________
LD1206
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio Lutheran Social Services of Northern Ohio · Lutheran Social Services of Southern Ohio
Creating a Better World by Serving People in Need
1