2 015
For at least the past 22 years, Walmart has partnered with LSS programs in helping to fulfill our mission of creating a better world by serving people in need. Starting in 2013, the LSS Food Pantries and Faith Mission homeless shelters first received Walmart Foundation State Giving grants. They were also awarded in 2014 and 2015. These grants, which gave $100,000 to the pantries and $50,000 to Faith Mission, focused primarily on providing healthy food to neighbors and clients. Walmart also recently awarded a $50,000 grant to CHOICES, LSS’ program for victims of domestic violence. In additional to financial gifts, Walmart employees show their commitment by volunteering. Walmart Regional Operations Center provides all the volunteers for CHOICES’ annual Peacemaker Award Luncheon, and Walmart Distribution Center #6014 hosts two BBQ lunches for Faith Mission each summer where they provide all of the food and paper products. Several of their employees bring a huge grill on a trailer and cook the food. The Distribution Center also donates several thousand dollars of material goods to Faith Mission annually, including stepping up when there have been emergency needs such as towels and bottled water. Special thanks to all our Walmart partners for their faithful and ongoing support over the years!
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio Newsletter
Healing Through Service
Spring Quarter
Inside
Walmart employees
President’s Message pg. 2
volunteer at Faith Mission
Peer Support Aids Healing 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.
Yes, I would like to help LSS and its programs
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
$25
Method of Payment: Check
Other______________ Visa
Mastercard
AmEx
Discover
Name on credit card (please print)__________________________________________ Card number: ____________/____________/____________/____________ Expiration Month:______________________Year_______________
LSS Food Pantry Update pg. 3 In It For the Long Haul pg. 4
Jim’s a veteran twice over, having served his country in both the Army and Coast Guard. Somewhere along the line, he started drinking. Just socially at first until it spiraled out of control, and he needed a drink just to get through the day. After years of alcoholism and depression, Jim found himself emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. Truly ready for the first time, he needed to change his life and checked into the VA inpatient substance abuse treatment program. It was a life saver, but when Jim was ready to leave he had no place to go. He had been homeless before admitting himself and had burned bridges with his ex-wife and children after the years of alcohol abuse. Without any options, Jim came to Faith Housing of Fairfield County’s veterans housing program. There he connected with a case manager, got his life back on track and was soon able to move into LSS’ veterans transitional housing, where he can live for up to two years. Now settled and attending AA meetings regularly, Jim, who is on disability for emphysema, has begun to rebuild the relationships he fractured. In fact, he and his ex-wife are discussing giving their relationship another chance. “Now that I’m sober, she’s found she actually likes me again,” Jim said. “And I’m talking with my kids, who thankfully don’t have any issues with drugs or alcohol. I grew up with an alcoholic parent, and I don’t want to be like that. I want to be a father again.” Never one to be idle, Jim also volunteers at the LSS Fairfield County Food Pantry each week, doing what his emphysema will allow. “The pantry is a great thing. It’s key to surround yourself with good people and keep
Jim has changed his life and found joy and healing in volunteering your mind occupied while working on sobriety.” Jim has also found good people at a local church where he’s been able to work on his spiritual life. On his experience with LSS programs, Jim says “It’s an honor to be around the staff all the time. They showed me how to be a Christian and care for people. My life’s completely changed in only a year.”
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_____________________________
LD1503
LSS Leader Newsletter 3-15.indd 1
LEADER
THE
In It For the Long Haul
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 3/20/15 11:22 AM
President’s Message
Sign up to Receive The Leader by Email In an effort to be better stewards of our resources - both monetary and natural - LSS is now offering The Leader newsletter in email format. If you would like to receive the quarterly Leader by email, please go to www.lssco.org/ leaderform-optin. asp. Thank you for your support! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Dear Friends, On the grayest and coldest days of early spring, it is sometimes hard to imagine that just below the hard, frozen earth, new life awaits – ready to spring forth. But in the days leading up to Easter, flowers of every shade start to bloom… all reaching skyward. Each one poking through the soil reminds us anew of God’s great gifts – a sign of brighter days ahead. For so many people who are homeless, hungry and hurting in our communities, it is
almost impossible for them to see anything but more days of hopelessness and misery. They see their existence as hard ground, rocky and barren. Your help in feeding the hungry and providing safe shelter and other vital services during this Easter season, and all year long, is critical. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference, and I thank you for your ongoing support. For many of those hurting, life transformations will begin with a plateful of nourishing food as well as the chance to see God’s light and to reach skyward toward a better future. Thank you for providing this opportunity. Easter blessings,
The Rev. Larry A. Crowell President and CEO
Peer Support Aids Healing CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence offers a holistic approach to services and strives to meet victims of abuse where they are. In addition to providing shelter, community and legal advocates, and counseling, peer support groups offer a non-threatening environment for domestic violence survivors to discuss their experiences and heal. “The power of being able to share your story in a safe environment with others who have had similar experiences is beneficial to the healing process,” said Sue Villilo, CHOICES executive director. “People are able to learn they are not alone and their feelings can be validated and understood.”
LSS Leader Newsletter 3-15.indd 2
Celebrating Milestones
On March 15 the LSS Fairfield County Food Pantry celebrated its 30th year of service. The storefront pantry, located on E. Main St. in Lancaster, was started by local Lutheran pastors and supported with food and volunteers by the local congregations. Initially the pantry served about 120 families per
Join the Fight
Most households with
month and now feeds 10 times that amount at 1200 families monthly. Over the past 30 years, approximately 5.6 million nourishing meals have been distributed. Thank you to all the pantry’s supporters, and here’s to another 30 years of serving those who are hungry in Fairfield County.
an adjusted gross income of less than $90,000 or individuals with less than $65,000 can file federal and state income taxes
Did you know 23,604 people are eligible for food pantry assistance in Delaware County? The LSS Delaware County Food Pantry, which opened in August and is our fifth storefront pantry, aims to provide healthy meals to these neighbors in need. You can join the fight against hometown hunger by participating in the Nourishing Our Neighbors: Delaware Co. vs. Hunger campaign March 23-April 30. Donate at lssfoodpantries.org or at any Delaware County Bank location, the host sponsor of the campaign. For fundraising ideas on how to get your business, school, church or other group involved, please visit www.lssfoodpantries.org/ delaware. Your support makes a difference! Special thanks to the following donors to the LSS Delaware Food Pantry: Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Chlapaty, American Electric Power
Foundation, The Montei Foundation, Chesrown, Safelite AutoGlass, Robert Weiler Family Fund, The Speaks Family Foundation, WalMart Foundation, Honda, Messer Construction, White Castle, Delaware County Bank, The People Fund, AEP Ohio, Harry C Moores Foundation, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Bob Evans Farms, Gordon Flesch Company, Williams St Methodist Church and Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians.
for FREE with the Ohio Benefit Bank. As an Ohio Benefit Bank location, LSS has a self-serve link you and your family and friends can use to file your own taxes. Simply go to www.lssco.org and click on the file your
LSS Food Pantries
Nourishing Our Neighbors
taxes link.
Delaware Co. vs. Hunger
All groups are free of charge and open to all survivors of domestic violence, with the exception of the BRAVO group, which requires a phone consultation with CHOICES staff. For information on any of the groups, please call the CHOICES hotline at 614-224-4663. 299 King Ave. Support Group Mondays 7-8 p.m. 655 E. Livingston Ave. Support Group Fridays 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. BRAVO/LGBT Support Group Every other Tuesday evening 655 E. Livingston Ave. Domestic Violence Education Group – Mondays 1-3 p.m.
For information on retirement living, please visit our website www.kensingtoncolumbus.com
2
Filing Taxes for Free
LSS Food Pantry Update
The Leader is written, designed and produced by the Communications Department of Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio. Copyright © 2015, Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio. 500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste. 245 • Worthington, Ohio 43085 (614) 228-5200 • www.lssco.org
Support for certain LSS programs is provided by:
Ribbon cutting ceremony rededicating the LSS Fairfield County Food Pantry
For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website at www.lssco.org
Please use the enclosed gift card and envelope to make a donation to help LSS and its programs.
3 3/20/15 11:22 AM
President’s Message
Sign up to Receive The Leader by Email In an effort to be better stewards of our resources - both monetary and natural - LSS is now offering The Leader newsletter in email format. If you would like to receive the quarterly Leader by email, please go to www.lssco.org/ leaderform-optin. asp. Thank you for your support! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Dear Friends, On the grayest and coldest days of early spring, it is sometimes hard to imagine that just below the hard, frozen earth, new life awaits – ready to spring forth. But in the days leading up to Easter, flowers of every shade start to bloom… all reaching skyward. Each one poking through the soil reminds us anew of God’s great gifts – a sign of brighter days ahead. For so many people who are homeless, hungry and hurting in our communities, it is
almost impossible for them to see anything but more days of hopelessness and misery. They see their existence as hard ground, rocky and barren. Your help in feeding the hungry and providing safe shelter and other vital services during this Easter season, and all year long, is critical. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference, and I thank you for your ongoing support. For many of those hurting, life transformations will begin with a plateful of nourishing food as well as the chance to see God’s light and to reach skyward toward a better future. Thank you for providing this opportunity. Easter blessings,
The Rev. Larry A. Crowell President and CEO
Peer Support Aids Healing CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence offers a holistic approach to services and strives to meet victims of abuse where they are. In addition to providing shelter, community and legal advocates, and counseling, peer support groups offer a non-threatening environment for domestic violence survivors to discuss their experiences and heal. “The power of being able to share your story in a safe environment with others who have had similar experiences is beneficial to the healing process,” said Sue Villilo, CHOICES executive director. “People are able to learn they are not alone and their feelings can be validated and understood.”
LSS Leader Newsletter 3-15.indd 2
Celebrating Milestones
On March 15 the LSS Fairfield County Food Pantry celebrated its 30th year of service. The storefront pantry, located on E. Main St. in Lancaster, was started by local Lutheran pastors and supported with food and volunteers by the local congregations. Initially the pantry served about 120 families per
Join the Fight
Most households with
month and now feeds 10 times that amount at 1200 families monthly. Over the past 30 years, approximately 5.6 million nourishing meals have been distributed. Thank you to all the pantry’s supporters, and here’s to another 30 years of serving those who are hungry in Fairfield County.
an adjusted gross income of less than $90,000 or individuals with less than $65,000 can file federal and state income taxes
Did you know 23,604 people are eligible for food pantry assistance in Delaware County? The LSS Delaware County Food Pantry, which opened in August and is our fifth storefront pantry, aims to provide healthy meals to these neighbors in need. You can join the fight against hometown hunger by participating in the Nourishing Our Neighbors: Delaware Co. vs. Hunger campaign March 23-April 30. Donate at lssfoodpantries.org or at any Delaware County Bank location, the host sponsor of the campaign. For fundraising ideas on how to get your business, school, church or other group involved, please visit www.lssfoodpantries.org/ delaware. Your support makes a difference! Special thanks to the following donors to the LSS Delaware Food Pantry: Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Chlapaty, American Electric Power
Foundation, The Montei Foundation, Chesrown, Safelite AutoGlass, Robert Weiler Family Fund, The Speaks Family Foundation, WalMart Foundation, Honda, Messer Construction, White Castle, Delaware County Bank, The People Fund, AEP Ohio, Harry C Moores Foundation, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Bob Evans Farms, Gordon Flesch Company, Williams St Methodist Church and Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians.
for FREE with the Ohio Benefit Bank. As an Ohio Benefit Bank location, LSS has a self-serve link you and your family and friends can use to file your own taxes. Simply go to www.lssco.org and click on the file your
LSS Food Pantries
Nourishing Our Neighbors
taxes link.
Delaware Co. vs. Hunger
All groups are free of charge and open to all survivors of domestic violence, with the exception of the BRAVO group, which requires a phone consultation with CHOICES staff. For information on any of the groups, please call the CHOICES hotline at 614-224-4663. 299 King Ave. Support Group Mondays 7-8 p.m. 655 E. Livingston Ave. Support Group Fridays 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. BRAVO/LGBT Support Group Every other Tuesday evening 655 E. Livingston Ave. Domestic Violence Education Group – Mondays 1-3 p.m.
For information on retirement living, please visit our website www.kensingtoncolumbus.com
2
Filing Taxes for Free
LSS Food Pantry Update
The Leader is written, designed and produced by the Communications Department of Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio. Copyright © 2015, Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio. 500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste. 245 • Worthington, Ohio 43085 (614) 228-5200 • www.lssco.org
Support for certain LSS programs is provided by:
Ribbon cutting ceremony rededicating the LSS Fairfield County Food Pantry
For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website at www.lssco.org
Please use the enclosed gift card and envelope to make a donation to help LSS and its programs.
3 3/20/15 11:22 AM
2 015
For at least the past 22 years, Walmart has partnered with LSS programs in helping to fulfill our mission of creating a better world by serving people in need. Starting in 2013, the LSS Food Pantries and Faith Mission homeless shelters first received Walmart Foundation State Giving grants. They were also awarded in 2014 and 2015. These grants, which gave $100,000 to the pantries and $50,000 to Faith Mission, focused primarily on providing healthy food to neighbors and clients. Walmart also recently awarded a $50,000 grant to CHOICES, LSS’ program for victims of domestic violence. In additional to financial gifts, Walmart employees show their commitment by volunteering. Walmart Regional Operations Center provides all the volunteers for CHOICES’ annual Peacemaker Award Luncheon, and Walmart Distribution Center #6014 hosts two BBQ lunches for Faith Mission each summer where they provide all of the food and paper products. Several of their employees bring a huge grill on a trailer and cook the food. The Distribution Center also donates several thousand dollars of material goods to Faith Mission annually, including stepping up when there have been emergency needs such as towels and bottled water. Special thanks to all our Walmart partners for their faithful and ongoing support over the years!
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio Newsletter
Healing Through Service
Spring Quarter
Inside
Walmart employees
President’s Message pg. 2
volunteer at Faith Mission
Peer Support Aids Healing 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.
Yes, I would like to help LSS and its programs
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
$25
Method of Payment: Check
Other______________ Visa
Mastercard
AmEx
Discover
Name on credit card (please print)__________________________________________ Card number: ____________/____________/____________/____________ Expiration Month:______________________Year_______________
LSS Food Pantry Update pg. 3 In It For the Long Haul pg. 4
Jim’s a veteran twice over, having served his country in both the Army and Coast Guard. Somewhere along the line, he started drinking. Just socially at first until it spiraled out of control, and he needed a drink just to get through the day. After years of alcoholism and depression, Jim found himself emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. Truly ready for the first time, he needed to change his life and checked into the VA inpatient substance abuse treatment program. It was a life saver, but when Jim was ready to leave he had no place to go. He had been homeless before admitting himself and had burned bridges with his ex-wife and children after the years of alcohol abuse. Without any options, Jim came to Faith Housing of Fairfield County’s veterans housing program. There he connected with a case manager, got his life back on track and was soon able to move into LSS’ veterans transitional housing, where he can live for up to two years. Now settled and attending AA meetings regularly, Jim, who is on disability for emphysema, has begun to rebuild the relationships he fractured. In fact, he and his ex-wife are discussing giving their relationship another chance. “Now that I’m sober, she’s found she actually likes me again,” Jim said. “And I’m talking with my kids, who thankfully don’t have any issues with drugs or alcohol. I grew up with an alcoholic parent, and I don’t want to be like that. I want to be a father again.” Never one to be idle, Jim also volunteers at the LSS Fairfield County Food Pantry each week, doing what his emphysema will allow. “The pantry is a great thing. It’s key to surround yourself with good people and keep
Jim has changed his life and found joy and healing in volunteering your mind occupied while working on sobriety.” Jim has also found good people at a local church where he’s been able to work on his spiritual life. On his experience with LSS programs, Jim says “It’s an honor to be around the staff all the time. They showed me how to be a Christian and care for people. My life’s completely changed in only a year.”
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_____________________________
LD1503
LSS Leader Newsletter 3-15.indd 1
LEADER
THE
In It For the Long Haul
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 3/20/15 11:22 AM