The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Combined Community Services’ new donation transport van on Tuesday, April 11.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Combined Community Services has a new van for transporting donations.

And it didn’t have to use any of its own money to purchase it.

Local social services organization CCS and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce celebrated the former’s vehicle with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, April 11, at CCS’ building, 1195 Mariners Drive, Warsaw. Attendees also prayed over the van.

It was paid for via funds from the Saemann Foundation and some of Kosciusko County’s American Rescue Plan Act monies.

“That van was a blessing as our area (Kosciusko County) Commissioners approved our ARPA application (for funding),” said CCS Executive Director Randy Polston.

He noted hunting down a van was difficult due to “inventory because of inflation and everything.”

The organization was about to purchase a van from a dealership in Columbia City, but the two vehicles it could have had were sold shortly after CCS learned they were available. CCS was able to buy a new van instead of used from the dealership, but that came with a higher cost.

Polston said thankfully commissioners granted CCS additional ARPA funds to cover the higher cost.

“This vehicle is going to increase the capacity of the amount of food we can pick up around the community,” he said. Those include its regular pickups several days a week and special ones when various entities have collection drives.

Polston said the more than 750 boxes of cereal Jefferson Elementary School and others recently donated to CCS all could fit in the van.

“We’re really excited to have dependable transportation,” added CCS Director of Client Assistance Tim Frame. He mentioned CCS travels to North Manchester, South Bend and Indianapolis to get donations as well as locally.

“This vehicle will increase our ability to impact more lives in our community, and that’s the connection that we have and what I had shared with the commissioners being able to have a vehicle like this to help us be (Jesus’) hands and feet,” said Polston.

The van has this Bible verse on it, which CCS Executive Director Randy Polston says embodies the social services organization’s mission.