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Love is not supposed to hurt. My daddy hurt my brother and mommy. I bleed tears. These are all words from domestic violence survivors at CHOICES, LSS’ domestic violence program. Rather than simply verbalizing these thoughts, survivors were able to write them on t-shirts as part of the Clothesline Project. This nationwide program is a vehicle for women affected by violence to express their emotions and share their experience with others. After the shirts are written or drawn on, they are hung on a clothesline for display. At CHOICES, clients who participate do so at a community house meeting. Some share their stories while creating their shirts. Others keep their stories to themselves. For most, it is emotionally intense, powerful and even cathartic. In the words of one survivor, I stand tall because I found my voice, and I can speak up for myself.
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio Newsletter
A Thankful Holiday
Winter Quarter
Inside President’s Message pg. 2 End of Year Giving pg. 2
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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Providing for Basic Needs and So Much More pg. 3
For a holiday deeply intertwined with food, having a traditional Thanksgiving meal means a lot to those who have to make tough choices - between food or medicine, food or utilities, food or transportation, and even food or housing. Because of the support of individual donors, businesses and churches, 3,000 families were able to have a Thanksgiving meal thanks to the LSS Food Pantries. Each family received a bag of food to make the traditional sides, like potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and dessert, as well as a turkey or turkey breast. “This allows us to have Thanksgiving dinner,” said Jamila, who came to the LSS Champion Ave. Food Pantry giveaway. “The meal with all the components of a traditional dinner is great.” This is the second year Jamila signed up for the Thanksgiving distribution. She has only been able to find part-time work, but still her income is too high to qualify for food stamps. “I have a 2-year-old daughter, and I want to make sure she has a normal holiday like
other children,” she said. “Now we can, and the food will last through Thanksgiving and beyond!” In addition to monetary and food donations, the LSS Food Pantries also benefited from the many volunteers who came out to ensure the busy food distributions went smoothly. With up to 500 families coming through in one day, the distributions can get overwhelming. “Our volunteers are integral to the day-to-day operations of the pantry, but on Thanksgiving giveaway days they are absolutely crucial,” Brad Draper, corporate director of food pantry services, said. “Our volunteers make sure everyone who signed up gets served in the quickest and mostefficient way possible.” Tim, a volunteer, said “Helping out at the distribution has helped me to fully realize just how fortunate I am. Everyone here is so thankful, and I’m thankful and blessed to be able to help out in even such a small way.”
Serving Those Who Served pg. 3 A Representation of Healing pg. 4
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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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