During times of financial hardship, uncertainty and fear, many of us rely on our faith to see us through. It is faith that holds us up to face another day, and believe that things will get better. WARM is no stranger to relying on faith. It is through our faith in God that we continue to answer His call to “Love one another, as I have loved you.” 

Faced with a world pandemic, WARM quickly shifted gears to a new business model to accommodate safety concerns surrounding COVID-19 while continuing our mission to serve those in need. That need grew substantially in 2020. The Westerville community and 
beyond gave graciously so WARM could meet the needs of those who asked for help. This generous outpouring of love and support enabled us to shift strategies throughout our operations:

•   Programs & Services – With a few modifications including curbside delivery, WARM has maintained its programs and services          without closing our doors; 
•   Marketing & Communication – Frequent updates with important information and statistics were shared with staff, volunteers and      the community via social media posts, newsletters and emails; launched a new and improved website that provides easier                 navigation to WARM’s programs, services, and events;
•   Fundraising & Finance – The generosity of the Westerville Utility Holiday, Westerville Education Foundation, The Big Give, 
    and many others, enabled WARM to not only meet the needs in 2020 but better position us for 2021 and beyond; these include 
    the purchase of assets such as a large walk-in cooler, delivery truck, and much-needed infrastructure updates;
•   Leadership – WARM’s leadership team and our board of directors, along with the Westerville community and many 
    community partners, have all worked hand-in-hand to build a stronger foundation than ever before here at WARM.

None of this could have been accomplished without our volunteers, who serve as our first responders. They soldiered on to help with behind-the-scenes warehouse activities, drive-through markets, and off-site assembly projects. They have been, and always will be, the heart of WARM. 

In acknowledgement and gratitude for all WARM accomplished with your support, we offer the following IMPACT Report, detailing our year and plans for 2021. Please join me in making your pledge of support to WARM so staff and volunteers can plan and execute our mission to continue serving our community. 

WARMest regards,
 
Michael Heyeck, Chair