2020-08-12

2020-2021 Focus on Oak Grove City Guide Page 48 Service Community Services League The Oak Grove Community Services League acts as a solid support system for low-income families in Oak Grove. CSL offers a variety of services to meet the needs of the community, including assistance with food, clothing, utilities, rent, transportation, employment and medical needs. To qualify for services, a family must meet certain federal government poverty guidelines. Gina Parr is site manager and works with the community to raise funds and bring in donations, particularly at times of high need. With quarantine and loss of employment in the first half of 2020, services were extended to anyone in need regardless of documentation on a drive-thru basis. During the summer, CSL requests kid-friendly food; such as, ravioli, canned fruit, kids’ cereal, individual packages of applesauce, peanut butter and jelly. The Kansas City Chiefs have donated backpacks to CSL to distribute to children to help with back to school. Oak Grove School District children may obtain them at the drive-thru event August 12 at the Oak Grove site. They are also collecting facial tissues, Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer to donate to teachers in Oak Grove. Gift cards can be given to families throughout the year as well as at the annual Christmas Store. As needs arise, they are placed on CSL Oak Grove Facebook page. Around 12 volunteers help at the Oak Grove location on a weekly basis. In April and May, the need for assistance rose, and CSL served 140-152 families per month. Christmas trees with cards containing specific age- appropriate gifts for children in CSL families are placed throughout the community in churches and businesses in November as they gather items for the Christmas Store; families also receive a Christmas dinner. In addition, the Mayor’s Christmas tree fund raises money earmarked for CSL programs. CSL receives funding and items from Harvesters and the government, and they cooperate with other food pantries in the area. Church groups, Masons and grocery stores in the area make weekly/monthly donations of food and other items for CSL clients. In addition, a group has birthday bags on hand for families that include plates, cake mixes and other items. Hallmark also routinely donates clothing and other items to CSL. CSL provides job-seeking support to individuals through the Work Express program. Jim Robinson, career coach, offers resume tips, networking and interviewing skills, and assists with online job searches. A variety of classes are available through Work Express at the Independence facility, including classes in job readiness, computers and budgeting. Work Express is available Thursday mornings. For more information about Work Express, call Robinson at 816-912-4487. One-on-one financial coaching covers household budgets and financial strategies for success. Rachel Barker visits with clients once a month in Oak Grove, and she may be reached at 816-254-4101. Bess Truman, wife of former President Harry Truman, was a charter member of CSL which began in Independence as a Christian Bible study project in 1916, and, at the time, its main focus was providing food, coal and hay for those less fortunate. Today, the organization remains true to the purpose of making meaningful and lasting change in the lives of those they serve. CSL has six locations in eastern Jackson County. Oak Grove CSL is located at 1408 SE Austin St., and is open from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Donations are accepted during those hours. The center phone is 816-690-8213. Gina Parr, center, site manager of Oak Grove Community Services League, with volunteers at the annual Christ- mas store.