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Offering a Helping Hand During Times of Need
CRS is the designated emergency food pantry serving Avon and Avon Lake. Our pantry is supported through the generous donations of local churches, schools, businesses, civic organizations and individuals. As a proud partner of Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, CRS also receives food grants and/or discounted food to help make sure our pantry shelves are well-stocked throughout the year. CRS provides a minimum of food every 30 days to individuals and families who come in for help. In order to receive food from the CRS pantry, individuals must provide proof of residence in Avon or Avon Lake, and a self-declaration of need following the eligibility guidelines set forth by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Local retailers, including Giant Eagle and Barry Bagels, donate additional items on a regular basis.
CRS offers options for fresh produce whenever possible. Thanks to the Second Harvest Food Bank, we are able to provide fresh produce during the spring and summer. Other partnerships that provide fresh fruits and vegetables include the Avon on the Lake Garden Club, the Avon Lake Community Garden, the Children’s Garden at the Avon Lake Public Library as well as many local home gardeners.
CRS operates the food pantry Monday through Friday, 10 am to 2 pm. The CRS office is closed on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, federal holidays, and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
While many people come to CRS initially seeking help with food, they often have other needs. Clients are able to receive financial assistance with utilities, rent, auto repair, medical/prescription costs, school-related expenses and other basic needs once it has been established that they fall within our income qualification guidelines.
In 2022 the CRS staff participated in Motivational Interviewing training which is a collaborative style of conversation to help strengthen a person’s own motivation and commitment to change as well as changing the behaviors that interfere with the achievement of meaningful life goals. This training was conducted by a consultant with the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University. We hope to use the skills that we learned to elicit and strengthen our client’s own desire for positive change and self-sufficiency.
If it’s determined that the services necessary to best suit an individual client’s needs are outside of our own capabilities, CRS has a vast network of agencies and other support groups to use as sources of referral, including the United Way of Lorain County’s Emergency Assistance Collaborative, the United Community Assistance Network (UCAN).
CLIENT PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
At CRS we believe that we are uniquely positioned to help our families move forward with their personal goals to make lasting, positive life changes. We have redesigned and expanded our personal development offerings in areas such as financial literacy, health & wellness, education or job skills training and family and student programs. We have a staff member dedicated to connecting our clients with programs and opportunities that will help them move forward in life. Examples of our program offerings include:
Financial Stability: Budget and finance assistance.
Health & Wellness: Discounts and scholarships available for health and wellness programs such as a French Creek YMCA membership.
Career & Job Training: Financial assistance available for training, classes and workshops to gain new job skills or a career change.
Student Programs: Funding is available to enroll children in limited session programs, classes and activities such as science and sports camps.
At CRS, we are committed to helping our families in lasting, meaningful ways that go beyond assistance with emergency expenses. Our personal development programs are designed with that in mind. For more information about our Client Personal Development Programs contact Mary at 440-933-5639 or mmccain@aalcrs.org.
How You Can Help:
Your donation makes a difference in the lives of those in need. We accept monetary and in-kind donations and we try to keep the “wish list” on the website up to date with what we need most. Also, we are currently accepting applications for the 2023 John Shook Community Service Award which will be announced at the Charity Ball on 4/22/23.
Whether you donate food, goods or make a monetary donation, it all matters. Please donate today. It’s easy. You can donate via mail, online or stop by the CRS office!
34th Annual Charity Ball
We are excited to announce the date of the 34th Annual Charity Ball! Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the Shipyard Event Center in Lorain. This black-tie optional event is our biggest fundraiser of the year and features a sit-down dinner, open bar, music and dancing, auctions, raffles and lots more ways to support CRS. Tickets will go on sale on March 6, 2023. THIS IS A NIGHT YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS!
