Cross Outreach

Homelessness Prevention. High inflation and escalating living expenses i.e. housing, utilities, food have dramatically impacted low- and no-income individuals as they attempt to make ends meet. Financial assistance is urgently needed to help persons stay housed or secure housing by assisting with a one-time emergency financial grant toward the payment of rent, security deposit, mortgage, electric or water bills. In 2022 CROSS Outreach distributed financial assistance checks to property owners and utility companies on behalf of 368 households containing 835 struggling people.

Direct work with 629 clients representing 1,274 individuals was provided for resource navigation.

Back to School Giveaway. Recognizing that education is one of the most important pathways out of poverty, CROSS Outreach provides new backpacks filled with grade appropriate school supplies. In 2022, one thousand two hundred backpacks, filled by teams of volunteers were packaged and transported to the Des Moines Area Religious Council food pantries, throughout Polk County. This process made it possible for families in need of food assistance to also receive the much needed school supplies during a one-stop visit. CROSS was able to provide school supplies, backpacks, dental supplies and reading books for 1,200 children from low- and no-income households.