Americans spend $100 billion a year preparing taxes, but at several LSS program locations low and moderate income families can file for free. Through the Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB), an internet-based income enhancement program, families can access public benefits and tax credits for which they qualify. By maximizing tax refunds and reducing household costs, the OBB can increase a family’s available cash on hand and strengthen the ability for people to move toward self-sufficiency and stability. Last tax season, $1,095,414 in federal and state tax refunds were identified for more than 450 families and individuals. That money is then invested in the local economy. “This program provides a convenient and secure filing system for people who may not have the funds to pay for a company to file

their taxes,” said Debera Diggs, LSS director of OBB. Diana was one such person. “They helped me get the right paperwork and went above and beyond what I expected. Without the OBB, I would have had to go to the tax preparation business I went to last year that charged me $700. I was able to save that money and use it wisely on food and rent.” The program also serves as a platform from which social ministry organizations can address the issue of poverty and its solution. In addition to tax filing, the OBB assists clients in obtaining the following: food stamps, healthy start/healthy families, Title XX Child Care Subsidy, Ohio Works First, Medicare Savings Program, HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and voter registration.

President’s Message

Dear Friends, 100 years. 100 years of serving, providing, caring and showing Christ’s love. Think of how many people and families have been served during that time! I am truly humbled and honored to write to you in our 100th year of service. It’s amazing to think of all the support we have received over the years from individuals, churches, businesses and the community as a whole. It’s no stretch to say this milestone is only a result of the faithful support we’ve received from you! During this year, I hope you take time to celebrate with us and also contemplate the reason LSS still exists – to serve people in need. Jesus tells us the poor will always be with us, and we at LSS hope to be here to provide caring assistance for the next 100 years and beyond.

Blessings to you and yours,

The Rev. Larry A. CrowellPresident and CEO

2 3 Please use the enclosed gift card and envelope to make a donation to help LSS and its programs.

Mark YourCalendars!

Outreach MinistriesAuction

Friday, April 27, 2012Doors open at 5, auction at 6Caldwell Distribution Center

810 Main St., Caldwell

LSS Family ReunionSaturday, June 2, 2012

St Paul Lutheran Church4686 E. Walnut St.

Westerville, OH 430814:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

LSS Day with the ClippersSaturday, July 28, 2012

Huntington ParkGame at 7:05 p.m.

The Leader is written, designed and produced by the Communications Department of Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio.Copyright © 2012, Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio.500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste. 245 • Worthington, Ohio 43085(614) 228-5200 • www.lssco.org

For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website at www.lssco.orgFor information on retirement living, please visit our website www.kensingtoncolumbus.com

Follow us onFacebook and

Twitter!

Support for certain LSSprograms is provided by:

LSS & OBB Stimulate the Local Economy

For more informationon this and otherevents, please call

(614) 228-5200 or go to www.lssco.org.

Sign up to Receive

The Leaderby Email

In an effort to be better stewards of our resources - both monetary and natural - LSS

is now offering The Leader newsletter in email format. If you would like

to receive the quarterly Leader

by email, please go to www.lssco.org/leaderform-optin.

asp. Thank you for your support!

Providing for the Future You can help to ensure LSS will be around for the next 100 years and beyond! Membership in the Heritage Society provides the vehicle to continue making a difference in perpetuity, along with recognition and possible tax benefits today.

It’s easy to join the Heritage Society through a bequest, annuity, trust or other estate plans. Simply visit www.lssplannedgift.org or contact Keith Phillips at kphillips@lssco.org or614-228-5200, ext. 1530.

housing for low-income seniors, Lutheran Village of Ashland and disaster response. In 1997, The Good Shepherd Rehabilitation and Healthcare Campus in Ashland joined the LSS family. Faith Mission, which has been serving the homeless in central Ohio since 1966, also came under the auspices of LSS in 1998. Tom Stofac joined LSS as President and CEO in 2005 after the retirement of Rev. Meyer. During the next few years, the agency continued to grow outside the central Ohio area and also looked to new, innovative ways to help people in need. In 2008, the first social enterprise, Fairhaven Lawn Care, was started. A social enterprise is a business that is designed to provide job and life skill training to shelter residents as they transition to self-sufficiency. Freshbox Catering and Patriot Pride Painting Co. would come later. In 2009, LSS launched a mobile food pantry to provide much-needed food to four communities in southeast Ohio. Most recently, Rev. Larry A. Crowell was named President and CEO in February 2011. While programs have come and gone over the years, the mission of the organization remains the same as when it was founded 100 years ago – to help those in need, whoever that may be. To view an agency timeline complete with pictures, visit our website at www.lssco.org.

A Century Cont.

Bringing Food to the Heartland

James at the LSS food distribution in Nova, Ohio

Tucked away in north central Ohio’s idyllic farmland is a problem many people assume is an urban issue – hunger. Lutheran Social Services is working to alleviate that problem by partnering with the Cleveland Foodbank to host three free food distributions in Ashland and northern Richland counties. The distributions are available to help hungry families and individuals, like James. James, a former truck driver, is retired and lives in a trailer outside of Ashland near Nova, Ohio.  Things were going pretty well until he was diagnosed with lung cancer.  The medical bills began to pile up, and he had to decide between food and medication.  He chose medication. James’ neighbors, who would give him food, told him about the LSS food distribution in Nova.  They attend the distributions and convinced James to come.  Now he’s been coming for about 4 months and is so thankful for the support.  “I was used to fasting, and there are so many others out there who do the same.  Now I thank the Lord for this blessing.” 

  During the past month, these LSS food distributions served 1,049 individuals. If you would like to volunteer at a distribution or to donate, please call 877-741-3331.

Americans spend $100 billion a year preparing taxes, but at several LSS program locations low and moderate income families can file for free. Through the Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB), an internet-based income enhancement program, families can access public benefits and tax credits for which they qualify. By maximizing tax refunds and reducing household costs, the OBB can increase a family’s available cash on hand and strengthen the ability for people to move toward self-sufficiency and stability. Last tax season, $1,095,414 in federal and state tax refunds were identified for more than 450 families and individuals. That money is then invested in the local economy. “This program provides a convenient and secure filing system for people who may not have the funds to pay for a company to file

their taxes,” said Debera Diggs, LSS director of OBB. Diana was one such person. “They helped me get the right paperwork and went above and beyond what I expected. Without the OBB, I would have had to go to the tax preparation business I went to last year that charged me $700. I was able to save that money and use it wisely on food and rent.” The program also serves as a platform from which social ministry organizations can address the issue of poverty and its solution. In addition to tax filing, the OBB assists clients in obtaining the following: food stamps, healthy start/healthy families, Title XX Child Care Subsidy, Ohio Works First, Medicare Savings Program, HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and voter registration.

President’s Message

Dear Friends, 100 years. 100 years of serving, providing, caring and showing Christ’s love. Think of how many people and families have been served during that time! I am truly humbled and honored to write to you in our 100th year of service. It’s amazing to think of all the support we have received over the years from individuals, churches, businesses and the community as a whole. It’s no stretch to say this milestone is only a result of the faithful support we’ve received from you! During this year, I hope you take time to celebrate with us and also contemplate the reason LSS still exists – to serve people in need. Jesus tells us the poor will always be with us, and we at LSS hope to be here to provide caring assistance for the next 100 years and beyond.

Blessings to you and yours,

The Rev. Larry A. CrowellPresident and CEO

2 3 Please use the enclosed gift card and envelope to make a donation to help LSS and its programs.

Mark YourCalendars!

Outreach MinistriesAuction

Friday, April 27, 2012Doors open at 5, auction at 6Caldwell Distribution Center

810 Main St., Caldwell

LSS Family ReunionSaturday, June 2, 2012

St Paul Lutheran Church4686 E. Walnut St.

Westerville, OH 430814:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

LSS Day with the ClippersSaturday, July 28, 2012

Huntington ParkGame at 7:05 p.m.

The Leader is written, designed and produced by the Communications Department of Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio.Copyright © 2012, Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio.500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste. 245 • Worthington, Ohio 43085(614) 228-5200 • www.lssco.org

For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website at www.lssco.orgFor information on retirement living, please visit our website www.kensingtoncolumbus.com

Follow us onFacebook and

Twitter!

Support for certain LSSprograms is provided by:

LSS & OBB Stimulate the Local Economy

For more informationon this and otherevents, please call

(614) 228-5200 or go to www.lssco.org.

Sign up to Receive

The Leaderby Email

In an effort to be better stewards of our resources - both monetary and natural - LSS

is now offering The Leader newsletter in email format. If you would like

to receive the quarterly Leader

by email, please go to www.lssco.org/leaderform-optin.

asp. Thank you for your support!

Providing for the Future You can help to ensure LSS will be around for the next 100 years and beyond! Membership in the Heritage Society provides the vehicle to continue making a difference in perpetuity, along with recognition and possible tax benefits today.

It’s easy to join the Heritage Society through a bequest, annuity, trust or other estate plans. Simply visit www.lssplannedgift.org or contact Keith Phillips at kphillips@lssco.org or614-228-5200, ext. 1530.

housing for low-income seniors, Lutheran Village of Ashland and disaster response. In 1997, The Good Shepherd Rehabilitation and Healthcare Campus in Ashland joined the LSS family. Faith Mission, which has been serving the homeless in central Ohio since 1966, also came under the auspices of LSS in 1998. Tom Stofac joined LSS as President and CEO in 2005 after the retirement of Rev. Meyer. During the next few years, the agency continued to grow outside the central Ohio area and also looked to new, innovative ways to help people in need. In 2008, the first social enterprise, Fairhaven Lawn Care, was started. A social enterprise is a business that is designed to provide job and life skill training to shelter residents as they transition to self-sufficiency. Freshbox Catering and Patriot Pride Painting Co. would come later. In 2009, LSS launched a mobile food pantry to provide much-needed food to four communities in southeast Ohio. Most recently, Rev. Larry A. Crowell was named President and CEO in February 2011. While programs have come and gone over the years, the mission of the organization remains the same as when it was founded 100 years ago – to help those in need, whoever that may be. To view an agency timeline complete with pictures, visit our website at www.lssco.org.

A Century Cont.

Bringing Food to the Heartland

James at the LSS food distribution in Nova, Ohio

Tucked away in north central Ohio’s idyllic farmland is a problem many people assume is an urban issue – hunger. Lutheran Social Services is working to alleviate that problem by partnering with the Cleveland Foodbank to host three free food distributions in Ashland and northern Richland counties. The distributions are available to help hungry families and individuals, like James. James, a former truck driver, is retired and lives in a trailer outside of Ashland near Nova, Ohio.  Things were going pretty well until he was diagnosed with lung cancer.  The medical bills began to pile up, and he had to decide between food and medication.  He chose medication. James’ neighbors, who would give him food, told him about the LSS food distribution in Nova.  They attend the distributions and convinced James to come.  Now he’s been coming for about 4 months and is so thankful for the support.  “I was used to fasting, and there are so many others out there who do the same.  Now I thank the Lord for this blessing.” 

  During the past month, these LSS food distributions served 1,049 individuals. If you would like to volunteer at a distribution or to donate, please call 877-741-3331.

One hundred years ago, on May 23, 1912 to be exact, a group of individuals concerned about helping those in need gathered at St. Paul Lutheran Church on the corner of High and Mound streets to form the Lutheran Inner Mission League, the original name of Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio. This came after two years of informal work by Capital University students at the Ohio Penitentiary. After conducting a needs assessment of the community, the League hired Miss Anna Loos as its first employee and social worker. She began visiting and ministering to those who were in the hospital, tuberculosis sanatorium and the penitentiary. Over the next couple of decades several programs were added, including a woman’s hospice (home where young women could live in a safe environment instead of living on their own) and the Dorcas Shop (a type of thrift store that also provided people in need with food, clothing and other items free of charge if they could not pay). For 30 years, Rev. C. W. Pflueger acted as executive director of the League, overseeing it as it grew to include a headquarters building called the Lutheran Center at 106 S. Gift St. and also a constitution revision and name change to the Lutheran Welfare League of Central Ohio. After Pflueger resigned in 1946, Rev. Andrew Bradow became the executive director.

A Century of Serving

Inside

1

President’s Message pg. 2

L E A D E RTH

E

L u t h e r a n S o c i a l S e r v i c e s o f C e n t r a l O h i o N e w s l e t t e r

Yes, I would like to help LSS and its programsI want to help those in need by giving to Lutheran Social Services, so it may continue to support the mission of

Creating a Better World by Serving People in Need.Here’s my gift of:

$1,000 $500 $100 $50 $25 Other______________

Please make your check payable to Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste. 245 • Worthington, Ohio 43085

or donate online at: www.lssco.orgYour gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

You will receive a receipt.

Method of Payment: Check Visa Mastercard AmEx DiscoverName on credit card (please print)__________________________________________Card number: ____________/____________/____________/____________Expiration Month:______________________Year_______________

Signature_____________________________________________________________

Name _____________________________________________Address ____________________________________________City/State/Zip_______________________________________Phone ( )______________________ Email_____________________________

Please Use it for: The greatest need Other ____________________ I am interested in making an estate gift Check here if you are a Thrivent member

A Century of ServingContinued

pg. 2

Tracing its roots to 1912, LSS is a nonprofit social service agency affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and recognizedby the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. LSS provides human services for all people according to their needs. These services include food

pantries, emergency shelters, affordable senior housing, retirement services, skilled nursing care and other services that strengthen communities.

LD1203

Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio

Creating a Better World by Serving People in NeedLutheran Social Services of Northern Ohio · Lutheran Social Services of Southern Ohio

We’ve all heard the stories of veterans finding it difficult to resume a civilian life after returning from serving our county. The ubiquity of these stories, however, does not make them less true. After being contacted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Faith Housing of Fairfield County decided it could make a difference in the lives of homeless veterans. From that discussion, two new programs were formed; one that provides emergency shelter to veterans and another that provides transitional housing. While the emergency shelter program was up and running quickly, the transitional housing program took some time. After nearly 2 years of working with the VA and purchasing and renovating a house, the Arthur B. Keiffer Veterans House opened in February. The house, which is in Lancaster, is named after retired Air Force Major Arthur B. Keiffer (deceased), who founded the local military organization Retired Armed Forces Association. It provides shelter for eight veterans for a maximum of two years. During this time, residents work on medical issues, personal finances and obtain a job in order to move to permanent, stable housing. Classes are offered at the house teaching life skills such as budgeting, shopping, cooking and cleaning. “I’m thankful for all the help I’m getting,” Dan, a resident of the house, said. “They are helping me out with the VA and my medical issues, and I’m looking forward to standing up on my own.” The interior rooms of the house were painted by Patriot Pride Painting Company, a social enterprise owned by Lutheran Social Services that employs only veterans. The goal of the business is to provide veterans with job and life skills that will help them obtain permanent employment as they gain self-sufficiency. If you are in need of painting services for your home or business, please contact Eddie at erapp@lssco.org or 740-653-2012 for a free, no-obligation quote.

United We Stand

During his tenure, the League expanded to include counseling and case management services, a broader range of chaplaincy services, and programs designed to provide emergency assistance to people in poverty. A major development during this time was the planning, building and opening of Lutheran Senior City on Columbus’ near east side. The facility, which was completed in 1964, served as a safe, comfortable home for seniors needing assisted living and skilled nursing care. In 1967, Rev. Bradow passed away and Donald Boyd became executive director. Like his predecessors, Mr. Boyd guided the agency through many changes, including the update of the organization’s name to Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio. Additionally, more services for families, including foster care, adoptions and assistance for single parents, were added as was a refugee program. After Mr. Boyd resigned to serve as interim administrator of Lutheran Senior City, Rev. Nelson Meyer was hired as executive director. During Rev. Meyer’s tenure, many of the programs LSS currently offers were started, including Faith Housing of Fairfield County, Southeast Ohio Ministries (now Outreach Ministries), more food pantries, Kensington Place, affordable

LSS & OBB Stimulatethe Local Economy

pg. 3

United We Standpg. 4

Spring Quarter

20

12Continued on page 2

Providing for theFuturepg. 2

Bringing Food to theHeartland

pg. 3

Open House attendees participate in a blessingof the vet house.

Eddie Rapp (l), director of Faith Housing of Fairfield County, Dan (c), veterans house resident and The Rev. Larry A. Crowell (r),

President and CEO of LSS at the Open House.