History

Cross-Lines was built on a simple idea — that poverty borne problems could be answered best by looking to the community for solutions and working together to tackle them.

In 1963 a group of ministers and concerned citizens joined together to improve the plight of the poor. Under their leadership they created a legacy of programs that have positively impacted the lives of thousands of needy people.

For 50 years Cross-Lines Community Outreach, supported by a network of businesses, churches and individuals, has provided a daily source of assistance for at-risk families, the elderly and individuals.

In 2012, Cross-Lines provided:

  • Utility assistance for 466 households (1,442 individuals) in the amount of $67,970.96
  • Rent assistance for 85 households (226 individuals) in the amount of $40,497.80
  • Hot showers for 2,907 people
  • Free clothing for 619 households
  • Emergency medical assistance for 330 individuals through the Medicine Cabinet
  • Emergency food pantry assistance for 2,848 households (4,014 adults, 2,857 children and  698 seniors)
  • Additional groceries for 13,943 seniors through the Commodities program
  • 17,214 weekday breakfasts
  • 43,679 hot lunches; 6,925 sack lunches
  • Christmas Store shopping for 504 families
  • Backpacks and school supplies for nearly 700 children

For more information on our three focus areas, please see Programs.