Learn More About CORE
WHO DOES CORE SERVE?
•CORE serves Summit County families in need who have either been referred via churches and Social Services Agencies, or who have contacted CORE directly. In either case, the need is verified by a home visit performed by a Social Services Agency or by CORE volunteers.
•These families-in-need are often trying to re-start their lives. Examples include: victims of house fires and other disasters who are referred by the Red Cross, domestic abuse victims starting a new home, AMHA clients, working families who live near the poverty line, refugees from other countries referred by the International Institute of Akron, homeless families, felons re-entering society, people who have been evicted, recovering drug offenders, and unplanned pregnancy situations.
•CORE Furniture Bank receives more than 6,500 major furniture items from more than 1,000 donors per year, transports these furniture items to CORE’s warehouse, and then hosts approximately 1,000 families in need annually to fulfill their furniture needs.
•These major furniture items include mattresses, beds, dressers, sofas, upholstered chairs, end tables/coffee tables, lamps, and dinette sets.
CORE IS LED AND OPERATED BY VOLUNTEERS
•In operation since 1998, CORE relies on volunteers who contribute more than 22,000 hours of effort every year to manage and operate CORE’s ministry to families in need.
•CORE invites you to make an impact on the greater Summit County area by becoming a volunteer.
•As a volunteer you may be involved as much or as little as you desire.
•Example volunteer roles include:
•Truck Drivers to pickup donations (You will have truck loading help to accompany you.)
•A Commercial Drivers License is not required.
•Warehouse Escorts help families in need on Saturday mornings to choose their furniture at the warehouse.
•Work from your home to contact furniture donors and to schedule pickup of their donations.
Founded on the Judaeo-Christian principle of helping those in need, CORE provides needy neighbors residing in Summit County and primarily within the Akron inner city with donated furniture, free of charge. CORE is a volunteer, non-profit organization, which collaborates with local and regional agencies to help those in need with the goal of having a positive impact on the neighbors served, as well as, the volunteers who give freely of their time.
Meet Our Staff
Tom Swiger
Director, CORE Operations, Board Chair & Treasurer
Jeff Sumner
Member CORE Operations Board
Craig Keslar
Director, CORE Warehouse Operations
Janet Zanko
Member CORE Operations Board
Karin Peri
Director, CORE Foundation and Corporate Relations
Mary Cooper
Member CORE Operations Board
Eston Brown
Member CORE Operations Board
Some of Our Partners
