Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio Newsletter
Family Comes First
Fall Quarter
Inside President’s Message pg. 2 A choir made up of members from different congregations sings at last year’s event.
An LSS staff member talks with an attendee about Faith Mission at last year’s meeting.
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 living, skilled nursing care and other services that strengthen communities.
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Creating a Better World by Serving People in Need.
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This year’s annual meeting will focus on our programs designed to help those who are homeless get back on their feet. Attendees will hear a little on Faith Mission and Faith Housing of Fairfield County as well as client testimonies. The program will kick off and close with performances by local choirs, and an ice cream reception will follow. “This celebration of service is a nice way for all our supporters to get together for some fellowship and also renew their commitment to those we serve,” said The Rev. Larry A. Crowell, President and CEO. The meeting will be held at the Huntington Recital Hall at Capital University on September 23 starting at 4 p.m. We hope to see you there!
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Celebration of Service: Caring for the Homeless
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Providing for the Future pg. 2 A Lesson on Healthy Eating Habits pg. 3 Fundraising Events pg. 3 Celebration of Service: Caring for the Homeless pg. 4
Tammy thought she had it all – a successful career in management, a nice house and a comfortable savings account. That all changed one night five years ago when her sister died in a car accident, and Tammy gained guardianship of her two nieces. While she knew her sister had issues that were affecting her nieces, she had no idea of the severity until they came to live with her. Both girls, who were 12 and 16 at the time, had been terribly abused for years. All the stress associated with their mom’s passing, moving in with Tammy and the consequences of the abuse took its toll, and the oldest girl suffered a breakdown and had to be institutionalized. The youngest, who also suffers from mental issues, remains with Tammy but only because of years of therapy. The extreme conditions suffered by Tammy’s nieces caused her to lose her job because she had to miss so much work. Soon, after spending all of her savings, she lost her house and had to move in with her mother. Now she turns to the LSS Northern Ohio Ministries food distribution in Richland County to help make ends meet. The food distributions are held in three locations around Ashland, Ohio and provided meals to more than 16,000 people last fiscal year. Each family is able to choose the food they would like to eat and are provided with three days’ worth of meals for each family member. “If I have to do this to take care of my nieces, then I’ll do it,” said Tammy. “Although the circumstances were difficult, I’m so glad I was able to be there to help those girls, and hopefully some day they will be able to have a normal life.”
Tammy selecting food for her family at an LSS Northern Ohio Ministries food distribution. Tammy wanted to gain custody of her nieces, but only has guardianship as she was told she would need for them to be put in foster care for 90 days before she can apply for custody. Without custody, she can’t get assistance for providing for them. “I won’t do it. These girls have been through enough. It would set them back a lot if they had to go to a stranger’s house for 90 days.” Now, she feels incredibly blessed to be able to get food to feed her family from LSS. “This is a godsend. Without this, I don’t know what I’d do. I can’t find a job; I’m overqualified. I’d be happy with minimum wage. If it wasn’t for this program, there’d be a lot of people with nothing. Thank you.”
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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_____________________________
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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
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