Oberlin Community Services (OCS) is a responsive community-based organization that serves low-income and vulnerable community members by providing food, financial assistance and other basic needs.
Community West Foundation funding allows OCS to help people like "Susan," a client who recently accessed their choice food pantry. It was the first time Susan ever accessed any pantry, and she arrived at the Cooper Community Resource Center struggling with the stigma of accepting help. Shedding tears, she shared that she was laid off from a white-collar job and has been unable to find work for nearly a year. Susan left OCS with food as well as renewed dignity. "I've never been in this position before. It's new to me, and scary," she said. "I'm so relieved you're here, because otherwise I don't know what I'd do."
"Mary" visits the OCS choice food pantry nearly every week. A widowed senior with a permanent physical disability, she is unable to work and lives on a fixed income. "After rent and utilities, I have about $300 a month to get by," she said. "I can't even afford bread and milk. If I didn't have the food pantry, I would starve. There wouldn't be anywhere else to turn." Community West Foundation funding is a crucial part of the OCS budget, allowing them to help thousands of people like Mary every year.