CROSS Works to Change Perception of Food Shelves
CROSS Services, a nonprofit in Rogers, helps about 200 families per week in the northwest metro. And thanks to new renovations, they’ll be able to serve the community even more.
“It’s really, really hard thing to do, to come and say, I don’t have food,” explained Elizabeth Johnson, executive director of CROSS. “There’s about 25 percent of the families that live in our community that are barely making ends meet.”
Improvements And Service Upgrades
CROSS Services has been helping people make ends meet since 1977. Recent improvements and upgrades are allowing CROSS to better serve the community.
The nonprofit refinished and repaired floors in its warehouse. And it moved racks and expanded its shopping area, making it easier for customers to locate merchandise. CROSS also added more space for sorting items.
“Before it was just one line and only a couple people could be back there sorting at a time. Now, we can have 10 to 15 people sorting,” Johnson said.
A former breakroom was turned into a Meals on Wheels kitchen. Officials at CROSS says this new addition allows them to add more fruits, vegetables, bread and milk to meals for seniors.
Another space, called the “birthday room,” is filled with toys and stuff animals just for young clients. The nonprofit wants to include an art area to the room, so children can draw and make other projects while their parents handle business.
CROSS also changed hours to better serve clients. It’s now open five days a week.
Customers can even take home fresh flowers after their shopping trip. Officials say it’s all about compassion and respect, no matter how much money is in your wallet.
“That dignity factor, having people feel welcomed, and not feeling like it’s necessarily a negative thing to have to come, but more of a positive environment,” Johnson said.
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