Two West Side agencies receive generous grants to feed and clothe the needy - cleveland.com

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WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Two area agencies that supply food to needy recipients are now recipients themselves of the generosity of the Community West Foundation (CWF).

For the second quarter this year, CWF approved $485,000 in grants to non-profit agencies in the Cleveland area that provide “basic needs services” to the community.

The two women who were interviewed for this story were bubbling over with enthusiasm for their cause, their organizations and obvious gratitude for the positions they hold that allow them to clearly see the difference their services make in the everyday lives of so many people.

Westlake Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels in Westlake received a $3,500 grant for emergency funding during the COVID-19 crisis in case the organization’s kitchen had to close. Executive Director Marie Patten-Blatter said the funds are being spent on frozen and shelf-stable emergency foods.

“We prepare in-house meals,” she said. “When COVID-19 hit, I had a two-fold mindset -- to continue to prepare meals for our clients and to be able to continue in an emergency. I needed to ensure that all were taken care of.”

In addition to her work at Westlake Meals on Wheels, Patten-Blatter formed another food initiative with a friend, called Neighbors United Delivering Together. https://my.cheddarup.com/c/wmow-neighbors-united-delivering-together.

The idea was to help struggling restaurants during the pandemic.

They set up a website where those who wanted to help could donate $5 to a restaurant of their choice. When a restaurant reached enough donations to pay for 75 meals, the restaurant cooked the meals and Meals on Wheels picked them up and delivered them to the needy.

Westlake Meals on Wheels has seen its clientele increase by about 10 to 12 percent during the pandemic crisis, as it is now delivering to about 75 people a day, with the help of a large cadre of volunteers.

The organization serves Westlake, Bay Village, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township. It operates with 100 percent community support, and the organization is not subsidized by any government entity.

Westlake Meals on Wheels is located at 2239 Dover Center Road.

Visit https://www.westlakemealsonwheels.org/meal-delivery/ for more information or call 440-871-2551.

Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS)

Community Resource Services brings aid to the needy in various forms in both Avon and Avon Lake. Executive Director Pam Ohradzansky received her grant notice in the mail just today (June 8).

CWF granted them $10,000 for general operating costs, as they have annually for the past nine years.

Not only does CRS provide meals, its also periodically pays for a person’s rent, utilities or groceries.

The organization began in 1988. Originally servicing clients only in Avon Lake, it later took on Avon, as well, due to the need, Ohradzansky said.

Recently, she noted, they have seen a large increase in clientele -- about 22 percent. It has remained that high mainly due to job losses.

To get an idea of the breadth of their services, Ohradzansky said, in 2019 they serviced 477 families made up of 1,245 individuals -- 149 seniors, 545 adults and 551 children.

The biggest program in the organization is the food pantry. Last year, CRS distributed 113,000 pounds of food, then also provided emergency financial assistance with utilities, medical help, gas cards or car repairs in addition to rent or groceries.

Ohradzansky also praised CRS’ “really big back-to-school program that gives kids a backpack full of school supplies and a gift card for school clothing.” They are just now gearing up to do it again.

“We have seen an incredible outpouring of support during the pandemic crisis,” she said. “It put us in a position of strength and gave us the ability to respond to many family crises.”

For more information, visit https://www.aalcrs.org/ or call 440-933-5639.

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