— CCS is located at 907 Oakland Ave. Shopping hours are Mon–Thurs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fri. from 9 a.m. until Noon. You may also call Betsy, 523-1551 ext. 105.
— We've had fall events in years past at supporting churches, but this year we decided to invite you all to our house. On Sat., Nov. 5, we're pumping up the Soup of Success gift basket open house, turning it into the 2011 fall event for the whole agency, and giving it a homecoming flavor. Not only can you design and shop for beautiful holiday gift baskets, but you can also enjoy a light lunch for $5.00 featuring SOS products. You can tour the building and visit with staff. We would love to see you!
You're all invited to stop in between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Also, Soup of Success has a new website: soupofsuccess.com. Visit us online to order our products.
Number of Families Helped:
21,282 families helped by CCS & SOS so far in 2011.
26,530 families helped by CCS & SOS in 2010
24,700 families helped by CCS & SOS in 2009
19,807 families helped by CCS & SOS in 2008
450 client visits in all of 1978
Thank you for all your support.
We can always use:
Spaghetti sauce and pasta
Canned meat and tuna
Peanut Butter
Macaroni & Cheese
Crackers
Soup
Hamburger & Tuna Helper
Rice
Dried Beans
— After moving to our new location, it has become evident that we need even more space for our pantry and food warehouse. In August alone CCS had a record 2,257 visits to our pantry plus 72 home deliveries and 3,000 food bags prepared for families participating in Back2School Elkhart. The CCS board has therefore authorized the renovation of two more buildings on our campus. When completed there will be over 7,000 sq. feet of space dedicated to a user friendly pantry and ample warehouse storage for large food shipments which can equal 50,000 pounds a day plus a comfortable lobby (unlike the current hallway) loaded with resources for client needs. We have begun by adding building insulation and installing a walk-in freezer and cooler. Estimated costs are $150,000-175,000. Designated donations are welcomed so we can complete this project before Spring.
How can you help at CCS?
We need:
-- tech support consultation and service volunteer/s
-- food and toiletry drives
-- pantry volunteers
-- prayer, always and ever
— Empowering positive change one person at a time.
What would it be like…?
...if you had no place to live but the old truck that belongs to the landlord who just evicted you?
...if you were working but barely making it and your employer shut down the plant for a whole month?
...if you had finished CNA training but didn't have money to keep your electricity turned on let alone the fee for the CNA certification exam? ...if without passing it you were not hirable? ...if you had two little girls to provide for?
...if you were job hunting but you didn't have any shampoo or laundry detergent?
These aren't just made-up tear-jerkers. These are the real stories of just a few of the people we
encounter. They want a better life. God has put us here to offer them hope and compassion.
Maybe some of you know very well what it’s like because you’ve been there. Whether you have or not, every one of you who prays, volunteers, gives, attends events, talks about CCS with your friends, purchases products, is part of that hope and compassion. Thank you.
— Volunteers are needed to assist with the Food Pantry at Church Community Services. These volunteers assist with gathering food donations from churches, schools and businesses; sorting food and stocking shelves. Minimum volunteer time needed is 4 hours per week. Lifting 25–50 lbs. may be necessary. If interested, contact Vonda at (574)295-3673 x106 or email her at vondaccs@aol.com.