Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services - CRS

What Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services - CRS does

Community Resource Services (CRS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services agency founded in 1988 and headquartered in Avon Lake, Ohio. It serves as the primary social service provider for economically disadvantaged residents of Avon and Avon Lake who fall within 200% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines but do not qualify for government assistance programs. Core offerings include an emergency food pantry, financial assistance for utilities, rent, auto repair, medical and prescription costs, and school expenses, plus a Client Personal Development Program covering financial literacy, health and wellness, career and job training, and student scholarships. CRS also functions as a referral hub connecting clients to United Way, UCAN, and a broader network of partner agencies across Lorain County.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of individual donations, signature fundraising events (Charity Ball, Hooks for Hunger Walleye Tournament, SOUPer Bowl Food Drive, Homeruns for Hunger), foundation and corporate grants (Alyce J. and Ann J. Metka Foundation, Community Foundation of Lorain County, Community West Foundation, Meijer), municipal support from the cities of Avon and Avon Lake, and in-kind food distributions through its membership in the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio network. The organization is staffed by one full-time executive director and six part-time client service coordinators, governed by an 18-member volunteer Board of Directors, and delivers services through a single physical office open Monday–Friday 10am–2pm (closed Fridays in summer).

CRS does not develop proprietary technology products; its scope is defined by community-based service delivery rather than a software or platform business. The organization's competitive position rests on its monopoly-like role as the only dedicated social service agency serving this geographic niche since 1988, its deep integration with the Second Harvest Food Bank supply network (110+ member agencies, ~5.5 million pounds distributed annually), and its affiliations with the Salvation Army Service Unit and UCAN emergency assistance collaborative. In September 2025 the Board appointed Ryan Virtue as the new Executive Director following Pam Ohradzansky's retirement on December 31, 2025, marking the most significant leadership transition in the organization's recent history.

Name

Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services - CRS

Legal name

Community Resource Services

Website

https://aalcrs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Community Resource Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services agency serving economically disadvantaged Avon and Avon Lake, Ohio residents with emergency food, financial assistance, personal development programs, and referral services since 1988.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Avon Lake

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Fundraising: Significant funding comes from CRS's own fundraising efforts including the signature Charity Ball event, Hooks for Hunger Walleye Tournament, and Homeruns for Hunger. Additional food drives such as SOUPer Bowl, Scouting for Food, and Stamp Out Hunger contribute both food and monetary donations.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Grants from foundations including The Alyce J. And Ann J. Metka Foundation, The Community Foundation of Lorain County, Community West Foundation, and corporate partners like Meijer provide both financial support and in-kind food donations.
3. Food Grants through Second Harvest: As a member agency of Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio since 2008, CRS receives food grants and/or discounted food to stock the food pantry.
4. Government and Municipal Support: Funding and support from The City of Avon, The City of Avon Lake, and United Way of Greater Lorain County.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CRS is a community-based nonprofit social service agency that provides free emergency food, emergency financial assistance (utilities, rent, auto repair, medical/prescription costs, school expenses), personal development programs, seasonal assistance programs, and information/referral services to income-eligible residents of Avon and Avon Lake, Ohio. The agency also serves as the local Salvation Army Service Unit and a UCAN partner for shared emergency assistance.

Product overview

Community Resource Services (CRS) offers a unified suite of social services for Avon and Avon Lake residents rather than a modular tech product. The core offerings include an Emergency Food Pantry, Emergency Financial Assistance, Client Personal Development Programs, and Seasonal Programs (including Santa's Workshop holiday assistance). Additional services include Information and Referral Services connecting clients to community resources, as well as partnership programs through Salvation Army and United Community Assistance Network (UCAN). All services operate Monday through Friday from 10am-2pm, with eligibility based on 200% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Food Pantry The designated emergency food pantry serving Avon and Avon Lake, providing food assistance to residents with proof of residence and self-declaration of need. The pantry is stocked through Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio membership, local retailer donations (Meijer, Giant Eagle, Barry Bagels), and community food drives.
• Emergency Financial Assistance Financial assistance with utilities, rent, auto repair, medical/prescription costs, school-related expenses and other basic needs for income-qualified individuals and families in Avon and Avon Lake who fall within 200% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines or have experienced major illness or loss of 50% of family income.
• Client Personal Development Programs (CPDP) Programs designed to support long-term self-sufficiency for CRS clients, including Financial Stability, Health & Wellness, Career & Job Training, and Student Programs with scholarships and fee assistance.
• Seasonal Programs Seasonal programs including Easter Baskets and Food Boxes, Mother's Day Women of Worth, Summer Snack Bags, Back-to-School Readiness Program, Thanksgiving Food Boxes, and Christmas Holiday Assistance Programs (Santa's Workshop).
• Information and Referral Services Resource guide and case management connecting clients to a vast network of agencies and support groups including United Way, UCAN emergency assistance, housing, healthcare, legal services, and other community resources.
• Salvation Army Service Unit CRS serves as the local Salvation Army Service Unit for Avon and Avon Lake, providing additional assistance in the form of direct aid, holiday Kettle Collection volunteer support, and local distribution of funds raised.
• United Community Assistance Network (UCAN) Partnership County-wide emergency financial assistance collaborative covering Avon (44011) and Avon Lake (44012) zip codes, providing shared resources and case management services to help individuals and families return to financial stability.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87,325 pounds of food and $202,675 collected since 2010 through SOUPer Bowl Food Drive
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008CRS became a member agency of Second Harvest in 2008 in response to increasing demands on the food pantry. Second Harvest is the largest regional hunger-relief organization with a network of more than 110 member agencies serving Crawford, Erie, Huron and Lorain Counties. CRS receives food grants and/or discounted food to keep the pantry well-stocked throughout the year. Second Harvest also provides fresh produce during spring and summer months.
• The Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS serves as the local Salvation Army Service Unit for Avon and Avon Lake, enabling the agency to provide additional assistance in the form of direct aid. CRS provides volunteers for the annual holiday Kettle Collection program and distributes a portion of the money collected to those in need.
• United Way of Greater Lorain County / UCANcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS is a partner with the United Community Assistance Network (UCAN) collaborative serving Avon (44011) and Avon Lake (44012). UCAN provides year-round access to emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, or other emergency basic needs. The UCAN representative provides case management services to help individuals and families return to financial stability.
• GoodsBank NEOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting CRS through goods donations and community engagement.
• Lorain County Community Action AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides food grants and pantry support to CRS as part of the emergency assistance network.
• MeijerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeijer Avon store provides pantry support through food donations.
• Giant EagleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal retailer donates additional food items to the CRS pantry on a regular basis.
• Barry BagelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal retailer donates food items to the CRS pantry on a regular basis.
• Avon Local SchoolsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with local school district encompasses multiple grade levels. Students participate in food drives and school supply programs. SOUPer Bowl food drive sponsored by school districts.
• Avon Lake City SchoolsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with local school district encompasses multiple grade levels. Students participate in food drives and school supply programs. SOUPer Bowl food drive sponsored by school districts.
• Avon on the Lake Garden ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides fresh produce donations to CRS food pantry as part of partnership to offer fresh food options.
• Avon Lake Community GardenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides fresh produce donations to CRS food pantry.
• Children's Garden at Avon Lake Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides fresh produce donations to CRS food pantry.
• Lake Erie CrushersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors Homeruns for Hunger event supporting CRS fundraising efforts.
• Avon Lake Girl ScoutsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors Scouting for Food drive supporting CRS food pantry.
• Christ Church WestshoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated space and volunteers for Santa's Workshop holiday program.
• The Eagle Run CommitteeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports CRS through fundraising events and community engagement.
• Empty Bowls By The LakeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization that supports CRS through fundraising events.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: National network of which Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio is a member. Sets the framework, food sourcing, and grant mechanisms CRS depends on; analogous at a vastly larger scale and the de facto incumbent in U.S. hunger relief.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit whose career training, financial literacy, and self-sufficiency programs mirror CRS's Client Personal Development Programs. Operates at far greater scale and shares the 'emergency aid + workforce development' hybrid model CRS is moving toward.
• The Salvation Army USA: National parent of the Greater Cleveland unit. Operates emergency assistance, holiday programs (Kettle Collection), and disaster relief nationwide at a much larger scale, with overlapping mission and donor populations.
• Catholic Charities USA: National network of parish- and diocese-affiliated agencies delivering emergency food, financial assistance, housing support, and case management — a directly parallel service mix to CRS but operating at multi-state scale.

Direct peers

• The Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland: CRS serves as the local Salvation Army Service Unit for Avon/Avon Lake. The regional Salvation Army delivers the same mix of emergency food, utility/rent assistance, and holiday aid that CRS provides, with overlapping donor and volunteer bases.
• Lorain County Community Action Agency: Listed CRS partner providing food grants and pantry support. A community action agency operating in the same Lorain County geography with overlapping emergency assistance, food, and case-management services targeting low-income residents.
• United Way of Greater Lorain County: CRS funding partner and convener of the UCAN emergency assistance collaborative. Operates in the same Avon/Avon Lake service area, funds and coordinates similar safety-net services, and routes referred clients to CRS.
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Cleveland Diocesan Council): Catholic-parish-based nonprofit operating emergency assistance (food, rent, utilities, household goods) in the same Northeast Ohio footprint. Direct overlap with CRS's emergency financial assistance and pantry model.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio: Core CRS partner since 2008 and the regional food bank network CRS draws on for pantry supply. Same geography (Crawford, Erie, Huron, Lorain Counties), same client base (food-insecure households), and operates emergency food distribution programs directly comparable to CRS's pantry.

Others

• Habitat for Humanity International: Adjacent nonprofit addressing housing stability — a dimension of need CRS touches only through UCAN rent-assistance referrals. Useful as a referral partner and as a benchmark for how a community-rooted nonprofit scales a single programmatic pillar.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/avon-avon-lake-community-resource-services

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services - CRS