Help Out the Easter Bunny and Westlake Residents

The Westlake Assistance Program is teaming up with the Easter Bunny to make this spring a little brighter for hundreds of Westlake residents.

On April 5, the program will hand out laundry baskets with all of the essentials to help make ends meet, plus some holiday treats.

Westlake families and individuals in low-income homes qualify for the baskets, as well as those who have recently lost their jobs. According to Westlake Communtiy Services Director Joyce Able Scroth, over 70 families will receieve a basket this year.

"The folks that qualify are all ages from infants to older adults," she said. "Recently, we've had more families with children and older adults struggling. Social services needs to be there to fill in the gaps."

For the Easter holiday, the program is in need of perishable foods and Easter candy in particular, as well as paper products, soaps, feminine hygeine products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, detergent, deodorant and other personal care items.

"If they can't afford food, they can't afford Easter eggs," Able Schroth said. "So when those little kids talk to the kid that lives next door on Sunday morning, and they have nothing, that's not a good feeling."

Perishable food items are also needed like potato chips, crackers and cookies. During spring break, families with school-age children need a little extra help at breakfast and lunch, Able Schroth said.

The congregation at  came together to collect jelly beans and other candy for the cause, and the Westlake City Schools have hosted a food drive for peanut butter and jelly and cereal split between the May Dugan Center and the Westlake Assistance Program.

"There's no hot lunch program, and they're eating off the shelves in their home," she said. "So now is the time that we need to give them more food than normal."

To make a donation, visit  any time they're open and look for the donation box in the front or stop by  between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Or, you can make up your own Easter basket with food, household staples and candy and drop it off at the locations above.