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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Seventy years ago, Roger Jones had just started a new phase in The ceremony was attended by staff and his life. His son had recently been born, but then, like so many residents, several veterans from The Good Shepherd others, he was drafted. Sent to the South Pacific, Roger said at Rehabilitation and Healthcare Campus next door, the time he didn’t want to leave but now he looks back at it as a as well as the local honor guard. The flag pole was good life education opportunity. made possible by financing through the facility as After three years in the army, Roger returned home to become well as donations from current and former residents. a farmer until he retired at age 60 and then became a minister until age 85. Now 95, Roger has lived at the Good Shepherd Villa, an LSS affordable housing community for low-income seniors in Ashland, for three years. After many years of work, the Good Shepherd Villa was able to honor Roger and Bob Nesbitt, another resident and fellow World War II veteran, at a flag pole dedication ceremony. Through the persistence of staff and residents, the City Historical Preservation Committee gave approval to add the flag pole to the grounds. Assistant Director of Facilities Maintenance Ritchie Leibolt, who spearheaded the effort, stated his perseverance stemmed from the desire to support the veterans and those of that generation who live at the Good Shepherd Villa. Roger Jones helps to raise the flag as other veterans and staff look on.
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Honoring Our Vets
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio Newsletter
When There’s Nowhere Else to Turn
Winter Quarter
Inside President’s Message pg. 2 End of Year Giving pg. 2 Make a Difference Tomorrow pg. 3 New Pantry System to Offer More Healthy Food to More Families pg. 3 Honoring Our Vets pg. 4
Christina never thought she would have to use a food pantry, but an unfortunate series of events changed that. At 22 years old, she had an apartment, worked as a cashier at a grocery store and was attending Columbus State Community College to get her associate’s degree to become a dental assistant. Then she was diagnosed with Celiac disease, which necessitates a gluten-free diet. This diet, which includes a lot of fresh produce and specialty gluten-free foods, is much more expensive than the average diet. Christina is also lactose intolerant. After adjusting her budget to incorporate her new diet, Christina thought she was back on track. Then the problems with her landlord started. First the issues were small, like not fixing a jammed window. But when he refused to fix the refrigerator for 18 days, it caused most of Christina’s expensive gluten-free food to go bad. This began the cycle of refrigerator repairs, break downs and then waiting many days for the next repair. As her resources for purchasing food started to dwindle, Christina applied for SNAP (food stamp) benefits, but has not yet been approved. That’s when she turned to the LSS Westside Food Pantry for the very first time. “I had nowhere else to turn,” Christina said. “I’ve exhausted everything else – support from family, friends, neighbors. I wouldn’t come here if I didn’t absolutely have to.” To top off her string of bad luck, Christina had just been released from the hospital before coming to the pantry after a surgery to remove several cysts from her arm. “I really appreciate all the fresh produce and even a couple gluten-free items that the pantry has. I never would have expected a
pantry to offer this kind of food, but it makes a world of difference to a person like me.” If you’d like to help support the LSS Food Pantries, please go to www. lssfoodpantries.org/donations.
“I had nowhere else to turn,” Christina said. “I’ve exhausted everything else – support from family, friends, neighbors. I wouldn’t come here if I didn’t absolutely have to.”
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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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Creating a Better World by Serving People in Need
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