Support from the Center
The CommunityAid Foundation is blessed to support Central Susquehanna Opportunities and their incredible work across all the Foundation’s focus areas (food, housing, and basic human needs).
Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO) is a local nonprofit dedicated to facilitating positive change in individuals’ lives and supporting the growth of communities. They seek “to move families toward self-sufficiency, believing that by strengthening families, they strengthen entire communities.”
CSO acts as a catalyst for economic, educational, social, and workforce development by collaborating with the entire community to deliver a variety of resources that foster self-sufficiency and overall prosperity. They take a holistic approach by offering services that address every Social Determinants of Health, with specific programs targeting housing, homelessness prevention, food access, workforce development, self-sufficiency case management, and resource and referral services.
CSO and its programs are making a real difference for our neighbors in need. Executive Director Megan Bair shared, “In May 2025, Mary was homeless and sought support from the CSO. She stayed with her daughter whenever possible and immediately began working with a case manager to address her needs.
With guidance from her case manager, Mary received a list of landlords and assistance in reaching out to secure stable housing. By early June, a landlord agreed to lease an apartment to Mary, recognizing the ongoing support provided by our agency.
Once settled, Mary focused on employment and was hired part-time at a local grocery store in July. Together with her case manager, she developed a budget to manage her new income and expenses. Initially, Mary received full rental assistance, but as her earnings increased, she began contributing 30% toward her rent. This month, Mary is set to assume full responsibility for her rent without CSO assistance.”
Central Susquehanna Opportunities’ New Mini Mobile Food Pantry
Growing Opportunities for Neighbors in Need
The CommunityAid Foundation has been able to support CSO through many of our different programs, including through grants, LIFTS Workshops, Care Cards, and Donation Program.
Last year, we funded supplemental support for the community after Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) subsidies were suspended. This $8,500 grant made a tangible difference for those on the fringes, helping to sustain them during a difficult, transitional period. Since 2023, we have been able to provide over $50,000 in grants to support numerous different programs.
Staff members have attended multiple LIFTS Workshops since the program began in 2022, providing them with best practices and insights from industry leaders. Director Bair added, “The workshops you offer are fantastic and have strengthened CSO’s administrative skills and capacity.” Last year, they attended “Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast,” led by CommunityAid’s executive director, Steve Sullivan.
We’ve consistently provided Care Cards that CSO uses to supplement their support for our neighbors in need. These $25 store vouchers provide the dignity of choice to those in need of clothing or other home items. We’ve been able to provide $1,800 in Care Cards since 2024 to provide critical access to families.
Finally, our Donation Program enables organizations to exchange unneeded clothing and items for unrestricted funds. These items are then sold at CommunityAid, with proceeds being reinvested back into community nonprofits through the Foundation.
We are so grateful for the work that CSO has done for those in need and are excited to see how they will continue to make a difference this year.
Want to learn more about Central Susquehanna Opportunities? You can do so on their website: https://www.csocares.org/. You can hear more about other organizations we support here.