Karen Roberts works on filling shopping carts with donations. Roberts has been volunteering at Combined Community Services since May 2023. Photo by Marissa Sweatland.

By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — “I feel the amount of families needing help is far more than I had been aware of,” Karen Roberts, volunteer at Combined Community Services, said. “Let people know they do not have to be ashamed to ask for help.”

Roberts, of the Warsaw area, has been a pillar of CCS since May of 2023. Roberts began her volunteer journey because she had unfortunately just lost her husband of 43 years, Terry.

“I need something useful to help fill the void,” Roberts explained. “My daughter, Tammy, had worked at CCS for many years so I was familiar with what they do here.”

Roberts is no stranger to helping others. She originally moved to the area from Minnesota as soon as she graduated high school so she could help her sister with her two young children. Helping her sister sparked a light within Roberts to open her own in-home daycare. She retired from daycare in 2015.

No two days are the same for Roberts at CCS, but there is always something for her to do.

“I jump in wherever I am needed,” Roberts explained. “Whether that is filling boxes, bagging animal food, fruit, veggies or other donations. I also stock shelves and put away donations of food and personal hygiene.”

She had also worked in the clothing closet before it was closed.

“I know a lot of families depend on CCS for help short term or long term,” Roberts said. “Most are very thankful and appreciative. Volunteering is fun and rewarding. The volunteers here is a great group of people to work with.”

The nonprofit is always looking for donations. Immediate needs include: food donations, including pet food, pantry basics, non-perishables and kid-friendly options; personal hygiene items; diapers and wipes; and laundry soap. For a list of immediate needs, visit ccsgives.com/immediateneeds.

Donations can be brought to Combined Community Services, 1195 Mariners Drive, Warsaw, during office hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Monetary donations are always welcome and can be made online at combinedcommunityservicesinc-bloom.kindful.com.

“It makes my heart happy when I push a cart of food out but find someone dropping off a donation instead,” Roberts said. “No donation is too small.”

When Roberts is not volunteering at CCS, she fills her time with her nose in a good book, dealing a hand or two of cards, challenging Scrabble words, watching sports on the television and enjoying spending precious time with her family. Roberts is a grandmother of three grandsons and a great-grandmother to a grandson, with one more on the way.

“I’ve truly enjoyed my work,” Roberts reminisced. “And I love this community.”