Building Home Gardens
During World War II, millions of “Victory Gardens” produced about 40 percent of all the vegetables consumed in the U.S. Now, as grocery prices continue to rise sharply, people are seeing the value of growing healthy, inexpensive food at home. This year, OCS launched a Build-a-Garden pilot program to provide beds to Oberlin residents interested in getting started with gardening. AmeriCorps VISTA Ethan Hill, who is with OCS on a one-year contract, worked with Lead Gardener Henry Yeager to survey neighbors who access the food pantry about their needs, come up with a variety of solutions, and get supplies to build beds. Here they are with Jayleigh Rosenthal, who received a metal raised bed!
Behind the Scenes Special Access!
There’s always lots going on at the Cooper Center! Tons of work goes into preparing the choice food pantry for distribution, packing food boxes, making deliveries, taking clothing donations, doing data entry and paperwork, handling finances, and so much more. Thank you to the many volunteers who help us get all this work done! Enjoy this brief slideshow featuring just a few behind-the-scenes images of the hard work being done at the Cooper Center.
One of our favorite fundraisers is back… and you DON’T HAVE TO CYCLE to take part!
Pedal for the Pantry gives you THREE WAYS to support the OCS food pantry this spring:
• Simply donate! You can give in honor of the riders, no bike necessary!
• Ride just a little! Take part in our 3-mile family ride for all ages starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 25.
• Ride a little longer! Go the distance in our 20-mile Team OCS ride, which is geared (get it?) toward teens and adults. It starts at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 25.
One of our goals this year is to get more people involved! If you want to help OCS, please consider cycling!
Do you want to help OCS provide food, emergency services, and other programs to neighbors in need, but prefer to work behind the scenes? Are you handy? Do you speak fluent contractor? We are searching for a Facilities Manager for the Cooper Community Resource Center at 500 E. Lorain St., Oberlin.
Our 27,000-square-foot building was constructed in the 1990s and was recently remodeled, with a few odds and ends remaining to do. It sits on 4 acres, including our building, parking lot, outdoor pavilion, gardens, and landscaping. The Facilities Manager will be responsible for managing the building and grounds (except the gardens, which are cared for by other staff), ensuring a clean and safe working environment as well as compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to facilities and employee, tenant, and client safety.
This is an independent contractor opportunity with compensation of $600 per month for an estimated 20-30 hours per month as needed. The position is not eligible for benefits.
FREE Screenings!
OhioGuidestone, one of the partners that shares the Cooper Community Resource Center with OCS, will offer FREE dental checks during food pantry hours on Wednesday, April 1. They’ll have qualified health staff on hand from 1:30-4 p.m. to offer oral screenings. NO APPOINTMENT OR INSURANCE IS NEEDED, but please bring your ID and insurance card if applicable. Just walk in — it’s super easy! Free health screenings will be offered in the Ann Fuller Great Space, which is our large community room just off the main lobby.
According to the CDC:
Many children and adults experience poor oral health due to common oral diseases such as cavities (tooth decay) and periodontal (gum) disease — both of which are the leading causes of tooth loss. In the United States, more than half of children and adolescents aged 12–19 (57%) and almost all adults 20 or older (90% or more as age increases) have had cavities in their permanent teeth. While oral health affects our ability to do things like eat, speak, and smile, oral health is also connected to our overall health. For example, poor periodontal (gum) health can worsen glycemic control (blood sugar level) in people living with diabetes. A growing number of studies show that people living with certain chronic conditions more often have untreated oral diseases or conditions.
Head of the Class
Our Volunteer Coordinator, Rosa Gadsden, stopped by Kurt Russell’s current events class at Oberlin High School on March 17. She talked to students about the services OCS provides: our food pantry, emergency assistance programs, and other resources we offer to make families more resilient against hardships. Led by Russell (the 2022 National Teacher of the Year), students discussed food insecurity and explored questions about how society cares for neighbors in need. Russell also planned a class visit to the Cooper Center so students could see how OCS operates and learn more about ways to help the community.
Kebabs for a Cause!
Aladdin’s Eatery in downtown Oberlin held a dine-to-donate fundraiser on March 9 to benefit Oberlin Community Services!
Thank you to restaurant manager Bradley Truitt for organizing this event. Bradley is also a social work intern at OCS, working alongside Client Services Coordinator Kathy Burns to provide emergency financial assistance to southern Lorain County families facing eviction and utility disconnection. He will graduate in May.
Local restaurant owners: If you want to help OCS with a dine-to-donate event, please let us know! Reach out to Communications and Development Coordinator Jason Hawk at jason@oberlincommunityservices.org!
How can I donate to OCS?
There are lots of ways to donate to OCS — mail a check, give online, use PayPal, make a gift of stock, even include OCS in your estate planning. Learn more by clicking the button below.
You can donate right from our Walmart wishlist
Did you know we have a wish list? You can buy items for the OCS food pantry via our Walmart online registry. It highlights dozens of low-cost nonperishable staples that are especially useful for the thousands of families we serve. To buy food to donate to the OCS pantry, visit www.tinyurl.com/OCSwishlist and browse the list! Donations can be shipped or brought to the Cooper Center, 500 E. Lorain St., Oberlin, OH 44074.
